Restorative Freedom Initiative

2025-2026 Annual Campaign: "Peace is a Humble Path. Let's Walk it Together."

Through this year's Annual Campaign, AVSI-USA will gift a $200 Christmas card to each of the 25 men at Ignacio and Abraham House in New York City, helping them buy new clothes for the season. 

“The goal is to ensure that every one of our residents receives some new clothes that fit well and look nice for school, work, and daily life — something that really helps restore confidence and dignity.” Fr. Zach Presutti

Our total goal, which includes many more activities in addition to Christmas gifts, is $10,000.

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"Peace is a Humble Path. Let's walk it together."

Humility--a word rooted in humus, Latin for “earth”. Our projects follow this humble path: we begin by listening to the poorest and most vulnerable, and stay close to people and communities, building relationships grounded in care and respect for everyone’s dignity.

But this way of building peace—this path—cannot be walked alone. It calls for a community of people who, each with their own creativity and gifts, bring peace to life every day through small, concrete gestures.

Supporting AVSI’s projects is a concrete way that you can contribute to gestures of peace—by feeding the hungry, accompanying people in conflict, creating opportunities for education, and promoting forgiveness as a regeneration.

We believe that forgiveness is a generative act, not a concession nor a renunciation of justice. It frees one from the inertia of resentment and opens new relational paths. On a personal level, it means not allowing oneself to be destroyed by the harm suffered; on a community level, it involves processes of rebuilding, patience, and sharing. Forgiveness, truth, justice, and peace are intertwined elements that require mutual commitment.

Within the Restorative Freedom Initiative, AVSI-USA's partners work to foster peace and reconciliation by supporting formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into society. After completing their sentence, men are given a real opportunity to start anew, overcoming the barriers of prejudice, isolation, and stigma that so often follow incarceration. Through mentorship, skills training, and community support, they regain a sense of purpose, rebuild relationships and contribute positively to their families and communities. By offering guidance, education, and practical tools for reintegration, the initiative transforms lives while strengthening the social fabric, demonstrating that justice and compassion can go hand in hand.

Learn more about our Restorative Freedom Initiative: https://avsi-usa.org/partner/restorative-freedom-initiative-rfi/