A letter in response to the ongoing protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, to the future students and families who will call COH “home.”

We the people, in order to form a more perfect union: establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty…

Inside the walls of Camp Oak Hallows, there will be no paramilitary force to fear or fight. Inside the walls, autonomy and equity must be the societal norm, because Camp could not survive any other way. There is simply no room for an oppressive police state in a place like COH.

For the better care and keeping of those who reside within the walls, nothing less than a collective growth and comfort mindset will be enough. From the beginning, the “target audience” of Camp Oak Hallows has been those who happen to be most affected and targeted by police brutality. This fact of intersectionality makes this release a necessity. Women, foster children, people of color, disabled people, at-risk youth, runaways and refugees from all walks of life: you are heard, and we are working to build the haven you’re seeking. You’ll be home soon.

If you’d like to support COH by direct donation, contribute to The One Year Campaign at this link.