Amicus Champions of Change

 We're excited to welcome Stan Hill as this year's program emcee!

Stan Hill has over 30 years of social service experience working in the public school system, parks and recreation, and non-profits serving children, adults, and families living in generational poverty with significant barriers to success.

Stan has taught Employment Advantage through Amicus for over five years and has assisted hundreds of clients with their preparation for the work force as well as placing many in livable-wage jobs. (Fun fact: Stan is also an accomplished vocal musician and bassist, with an active career that began in grade school and continues today.)

"Stan has been a long-time friend of Amicus, but first and foremost I consider him a genuinely good friend," says Chris Doege, Senior Director of Community Justice. "He is approachable, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Stan has walked the same path as the people we work with, and he is someone people listen to. He genuinely cares." Thanks, Stan, for emceeing our event this year!

Voices of Hope will join us once again this year as our special musical guests.

Voices of Hope's mission is to provide accessible music-making opportunities within justice-impacted populations that foster individual growth and bridge unlikely communities through song.

Voices of Hope has choirs at both MCF-Shakopee and MCF-Stillwater, and also seeks to build bridges outside of prisons, using the power of song to transform individuals and communities.

We are grateful that our community includes organizations like Voices of Hope, working alongside Amicus as we all seek to support people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system and build stronger communities. Attendees were moved by their performance at last year's event, and we are delighted to have them join us again this year!

We’re thrilled to announce that Jerome Nunn and Kenny Pilcher will be joining us as guest speakers, sharing their powerful stories on stage. 

Jerome Nunn has been incarcerated for 28 years.

He is a devoted parent and deeply rooted in his faith. He is also a leader and mentor. A mentor to his peers in prison and to many members in his community.

While incarcerated, he helped to create the Restorative Justice (RJ 101) curriculum. Today, RJ 101 is used in Minnesota prisons statewide.

Jerome is, and continues to be a zealous advocate of Restorative Justice and is committed to its practices – repairing the harm in order to facilitate the rebuilding of relationships and ultimately building a stronger community.

"I tell myself and others I’m rising up! When obstacles and barriers are present, I don’t complain and don’t look at them problems. These are life responsibilities: meaning I’m living a new life."

- Kenny Pilcher