REFORM Alliance: Kim Kardashian and Michael Rubin came to the rescue for women on probation and parole
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and Philadelphia executive Michael Rubin are staying busy these days. The two powerhouses teamed up through REFORM Alliance to pay off restitution, fines and fees for over 50 moms this past Mother’s Day.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and Philadelphia executive Michael Rubin are staying busy these days. The two powerhouses teamed up through REFORM Alliance to pay off restitution, fines and fees for over 50 moms this past Mother’s Day.
Kim Kardashian and Michael Rubin connect for moms going through hardships
Kim K and Rubin did more than just celebrate the women in their lives this past Sunday. They used their strength and financial stability to help make life easier for moms throughout the nation.
Today nonprofit criminal justice reform organization REFORM Alliance is announcing their partnership with co-chair Michael Rubin and Kim Kardashian to pay off the restitution, fines, fees for more than fifty mothers stuck in the probation and parole system. The women are from New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Los Angeles County, Florida, Virginia and Illinois.
By paying off their legal financial obligations, most of the women will now be able to get off supervision or be eligible to file for early termination, which many of their probation officers have endorsed.
One of the women receiving relief is Danielle Davis, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Danielle was convicted of a nonviolent offense in 2012 and sentenced to twenty-three months of parole and three years of probation. In 2017, when her sentence was due to end, she was given an additional twenty-three months of parole and three years of probation - not due to any new crime or any violations of her probation conditions. Her supervision was extended solely because of unpaid restitution. In 2022, her probation was extended again for another three years.
“It’s hard to fathom what these mothers have to go through,” says Kim Kardashian. “All they want is the chance to rebuild their lives, and yet our system keeps them stuck in an endless cycle of supervision. I want to do my part to give these women the second chance they’ve earned. I urge lawmakers and advocates across the country to work toward changing outdated laws that keep too many people unnecessarily behind bars. I will continue to bring awareness to these important issues until there is change.”
For the eleven years Danielle has been under supervision, she had no violations and no run-ins with the law. The mother of four recently had two open heart surgeries and struggles to meet her probation reporting requirements, like having to travel from Philadelphia to Media, PA to meet with her probation officer despite not owning a car. She makes payments ranging from $50-$100 every month, while living on a fixed income. Danielle said, “I thought I’d die on probation” because she could not afford to pay off the full amount she owes.
Kardashian and Rubin are paying off the remaining balance of her restitution, fines and fees along with more than 50 other women in similar circumstances.
“Probation and parole were meant to support people as they re-entered society,” says Michael Rubin. “But instead, these systems keep people stuck. Forcing people to remain on supervision because they can’t pay restitution is deeply unjust – and it doesn’t improve public safety one bit. REFORM Alliance is committed to transforming probation and parole and getting people out of the system for good so that they can be back with their families, contribute to their communities, and move on to live productive lives.”
This initiative will free the women from the supervision trap and give them a springboard toward rebuilding their lives. These mothers have a demonstrated track record of rehabilitation and success on supervision with no violations and many have the support of their supervising officers in terminating their supervision once the financial obligations are met. Kim Kardashian, Michael Rubin and REFORM Alliance hope to raise awareness about our broken parole and probation systems while supporting this deserving group of women for Mother's Day.
“Each of these women have shown a true commitment to transforming their lives,” says REFORM Chief Advocacy & Operations Officer Jessica Jackson. “Like so many other mothers still trapped in the system, they’re doing their part to take accountability and build a better future for their families. It’s time for all of us to do our part to support them, and to create a criminal justice system that truly prioritizes public safety. I hope these women have a beautiful Mother’s Day and that this effort helps them move on with their lives.” Jessica, a mom to three, has served as REFORM’s Chief Advocacy & Operations Officer since the organization was founded in 2019. She has dedicated her career to criminal justice reform after experiencing the system firsthand when her then-husband was sent to prison for an offense stemming from his addiction shortly after Jessica’s first daughter Hannah was born.
JAY-Z and Meek Mill's REFORM Alliance has a huge Job Fair on deck in Philly
You have to admit it, JAY-Z and Meek Mill’s powerful REFORM Alliance has really kept its word in putting together epic events and a serious aim to look out for people across all paths of life. In 72 hours, the organization has a job fair set to happen at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
You have to admit it, JAY-Z and Meek Mill’s powerful REFORM Alliance has really kept its word in putting together epic events and a serious aim to look out for people across all paths of life. In 72 hours, the organization has a job fair set to happen at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
The REFORM Alliance has a huge job fair going down Thursday
Major folks including REFORM’s Robert Rooks, Philadelphia 76ers and Fanatics’ Michael Rubin, first daughter of the United States, Ashley Biden, recording artist Musiq Soulchild and more are slated to pull through and take part in the gathering.
On Thursday (6/9), REFORM Alliance and Hire! Philly will host the REFORM Alliance Philly Job Fair at Wells Fargo Center to revitalize Philadelphia’s workforce by filling thousands of open positions at all levels. To date, employers including Philadelphia 76ers, Fanatics, Amazon, 151 Foods, Snipes, Yellow Brick Transport, Bon Appetit Management Company, Ameribest Homecare, Philadelphia Fire Department, University of Pennsylvania, and dozens more have confirmed their participation and will be sending recruiters to interview candidates. REFORM Alliance will also be interviewing candidates for open positions.
Community organizations such as Philly Counts, Urban Affairs Coalition, The Urban League of Philadelphia, NAACP, Mayor’s Office of Engagement among others will also be at the job fair offering resume assistance and extending other critical resources. Several organizations recently granted funds from REFORM Alliance’s Pennsylvania Grants Program will also be in attendance.
REFORM Alliance and Hire! Philly have recruited a wide array of companies and organizations to participate in the job fair as part of a broader effort to create tangible pathways towards economic opportunity for formerly incarcerated people, people on probation or parole, single parents, and veterans.
Come one, come all
It’s not just about trying to get put onto one type of career. The event is aimed at providing help for people interested in getting prepared for taking the next steps in their lives.
The job fair is open to the public and will provide free career development resources and job readiness support to attendees, including:
Professional Attire
Barbers, Hairdressers, and Styling Services
Resume-Building Resources
Expungement Aid
And more to prepare for sustainable access in the employment market
Additionally, local Philadelphia artist and Pulitzer Prize winning podcaster, Suave Gonzalez will be live painting at a booth with local gallery, Morton Contemporary. He will be joined by Rasheeda Bagwell to discuss their experiences returning home after incarceration, navigating the art world, and mentoring in their community. Suave’s podcast will be streamed live at the job fair.
