The Justice Advocates Cohort (JAC) is a program designed to equip people directly impacted by the criminal legal system with the skills needed to be effective change makers. In bi-weekly workshops over several months, participants will learn about the legislative process in Missouri and the current context of criminal legal policy reform in the state while organizing advocacy efforts around specific policy goals identified by the participants.
The pilot cohort was held in 2026 in St. Louis, and for our next cohort, we’re expanding! Applications are now open for participants based in either St. Louis or Kansas City.
JAC participants should be:
Participation stipend: $50 per class attended ($600 maximum per participant)
Curriculum
Classes will be led by Empower Missouri staff, co-facilitators, and guest speakers, and will consist of presentations on a variety of core advocacy skills, including how to cut an issue, messaging, meeting with lawmakers, and legislative tracking. Cohort members will have interactive discussions on the topics and be able to directly apply the concepts learned during class time.
Policy Project
Participants will work in small groups of 3 or 4, with each group focusing on a different policy issue of interest. Participants will complete projects such as policy memos, stakeholder meetings, strategic plans, or power maps. Each group will give a final presentation to the cohort, including an elevator pitch about the issue and/or their personal story.
Program Schedule & Details
The cohort will meet twice per month on Thursdays, alternating virtual and in-person:
1st class: November 5th (in person)
2nd class: November 19th (virtual)
3rd class: December 3rd (in person)
4th class: December 17th (virtual)
5th class: January 7th (virtual)
6th class: January 21st (in person)
7th class: February 4th (virtual)
***Small policy groups meet on their own time sometime in February to prepare for trip to the Capitol
8th class: March 2- in person trip to Jefferson City (all day, travel support provided)
9th class: March 4th (virtual)
10th class: March 18th (in person)
11th class: April 1st (virtual)
12th class: April 15th (in person)
In person meetings will be held in both Kansas City and St. Louis, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and dinner will be provided. Virtual meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
In addition to meetings, the program will require 1-2 hours per week of independent work.
Application are now open, you can apply HERE. Questions? Email Gwen Smith-Moore (Criminal Justice Policy Manager) at: [email protected].
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