We are thrilled to announce the arrival of two new staff members to our organization.Emily Cheramie-Walz is our new Development Director. Emily has over 20 years of experience in the Philadelphia nonprofit sector, working with clients in arts & culture, social & human services, and education, and with the foundations and companies that support them, to engage communities and build capacity. Most recently, she was the Director and Development and Communications for Fred's Footsteps, an organization providing life-changing support to families caring for a medically fragile child, in memory of G. Fred DiBona, Jr.

‍"I am greatly looking forward to sharing the incredible work of the Society in an effort to substantially engage the community so that we can continue to grow and fulfill our mission. Our work to ensure that all those incarcerated in the state of Pennsylvania are treated kindly and with human dignity is only possible because people know this work is critical and necessary, certainly now more than ever."-EmilyAndy Peifer is joining us as our Social Supports Program Associate. He works with the Social Supports team to provide in-prison programming and peer support services to those experiencing reentry and coordinates the recruitment and training of volunteer mentors. Andy has worked with the Prison Society for years in the mentoring program as consultant.

For the last 20 years, Andy has worked on various small business and community initiatives in Philadelphia and holds a MA in Community Development from the University of Victoria (B.C.). He lives with his partner, Sara, and their three children in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

"It is a privilege to work with individuals on issues that have such importance in their lives and the larger community. I especially enjoy the combination of being directly involved in program delivery while also having a hand in designing Prison Society initiatives that respond pragmatically to the needs of individuals and their families.”-Andy