WHO WE ARE

At Family & Friends of Incarcerated People (FFOIP), we believe every child deserves a strong foundation and a supportive community. Our mission is to uplift and empower children of incarcerated parents and at-risk youth in the DC area by providing meaningful social, cultural, and developmental experiences. Through our programs, events, and outreach, we work to break cycles of incarceration, build brighter futures, and remind every child that they are not alone. Guided by the belief that it truly takes a village to raise a child, we stand as that village—offering hope, healing, and opportunity.

LEADERSHIP

Stuart W. Anderson

Stuart W. Anderson is the founding Executive Director of Family & Friends of Incarcerated People (FFOIP) and he is the Community Engagement Director for the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC). He is a community activist in the District of Columbia in general and east of the Anacostia River in particular. He is a native Washingtonian, a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia and a member of the DC Democratic State Committee. He has received several awards during his nearly three decades of work in DC. On January 28th, 2004, he spoke live from within the prison walls on DC Inmates, Their Children & Hope. As a result, in January, 2005 his work made the cover of the Washington Post Magazine: Hard Time – A Father’s Conviction. In 2011 he received the Port In The Storm Award from the Washington Peace Center. In 2015 he received the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association Distinguished Service award, for the Outstanding Community Service. Stuart is one of the individuals behind the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade, held in Washington, DC. Also, he is the vice-president of the Friends of Parkland-Turner Neighborhood Library. Stuart co-founded Don't Mute My Health with Ronnie Webb.

Gerald Marshall

Gerald Marshall is a founding member of FFOIP He has been a facilitator of work shops, seminars, and trainings since his release in 2010.

Jeff Brinkley

Jeff Brinkley Became a member of FFOIP in the mid 1990s and continued to lead the fatherhood initiative every since. He has been a facilitator of work shops, seminars, and trainings since his release in 2012.

Rick Seeney

Rick Seeney worked with FFOIP while he was incarcerated and became a member in mid 1990s. He has been a facilitator of work shops, seminars, and trainings since his release.

Diamond Anderson

Diamond Anderson Stuart’s youngest daughter did not get involved in the community based programs and projects until 2010 and has been a force within the FFOIP leadership since.

Shovohn Anderson

Shovohn Anderson Stuart’s middle daugter who with her eldest sister Tyrina worked to establish the very first Concerned Fathers’ Public Safety Community Cookout.

Tia Jackson

Tia Jackson Stuart’s sister who became active in 2012 and has been largely active during our larger community events (Concerned Fathers’ Public Safety Community Cookout and Summer Youth retreats).

OUR HISTORY

About Family & Friends Of Incarcerated People

FFOIP has existed for close to 30 years, starting out as a prison based fatherhood initiative in Lorton (formerly a prison that was located in Occoquan, VA and managed by DC Dept. of Corrections) in 1992; which has expanded into what it is today – a vehicle working to keep young people out of prison and to change laws that typically target blacks.

In 1992 Stuart began talking with professors from Georgetown University. The results of those conversations was the Family Literacy Project. While the inside coordinator of Family Literacy, Stuart help to start a similar fatherhood initiative The abridging program, facilitated by the Alliance of Concerned Men. After Stuart formally joined The abridging program, it became The Concerned Fathers; and, Stuart would carry the concept with him from one prison to another, until his release in 2008.

While Stuart was still incarcerated the group would sponsor their first public safety community event, facilitated chiefly by Netfa Freemen and Stuart’s daughters 2005.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tyrina Anderson
Shavohn Anderson
Diamond Anderson
Janelle Jobe
Dorothea Holland
Sherrille Limes
Monica Marshall
Netfa Freeman
Faye Lynch