Update from Katal (Announcing its Exit From Connecticut)

Chicks Ahoy Farm

FYI, in case you haven't seen this letter regarding Katal Center's exit from the state:

For those who are aware, over the past four years in Connecticut, we have fostered a movement for food justice and reform of the criminal justice system. This work has centered the leadership of BILPOC and people directly impacted by the broken social safety net.  We know that when the social safety net fails, people end up in the criminal justice system. This includes not only organizing for food and criminal justice but also showing people who are directly impacted how to start businesses that are not limited by their felony convictions. While this work was done in collaboration with the Katal Center as a partner, that work is not reflected in their disheartening letter to the field about their failure to succeed in the state.  

Continue to follow Chicks Ahoy Farm and Cultivating Justice, and stay informed about our ongoing work in Connecticut.

gabriel sayegh's message to the field from the Katal Center is below...

Katal Center for Equity Health and Justice,New York

Dear

I’m writing to share some news: After nearly 10 years, Katal is ending our operations in Connecticut.

Such decisions are rarely easy and are almost always complicated. That’s true for us too. In this instance, our decision ultimately boils down to the unprecedented challenges of this moment.

As you may know, raising funds for the community organizing we do at Katal, especially for a multistate operation like ours, has long been difficult. And over the last few years, financial support for criminal justice reform in particular has steeply declined. Rising authoritarianism in the United States, including executive orders threatening progressive philanthropic foundations and pending executive orders targeting tax-exempt organizations, has caused a chilling effect on the nonprofit funding world, impacting organizations large and small alike.

With growing constraints on our resources and capacity, we’re confronted with tough choices about how best to pursue our mission in this period of uncertainty. We’ve made the decision to reduce our size and scope and streamline our work.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in Connecticut over nearly a decade. And we know that a range of dynamic organizers, community groups, and advocacy organizations continue to serve Connecticut well. If you’ve joined any of the monthly Connecticut Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Calls since we launched them in 2018, you know that many committed groups in the state are working to end mass criminalization and incarceration. The fight goes on.

Thank you for being part of this journey with Katal in Connecticut. Thank you for taking action with us, for attending our meetings and gatherings, for joining us on the statewide calls, for standing with us.

While smaller, we continue our work in New York. If you’d like to stay connected, please follow us on Bluesky and Instagram. And if you want to keep receiving our emails, just reply to this message. We have a tough fight ahead to save democracy, end mass incarceration, and build a more equitable, healthy, and just world for all. Let’s get to it.

With gratitude, and in solidarity,

gabriel sayegh

Executive Director

Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice

147 Prince St

Brooklyn, NY 11201

United States