Nation Outside
Cecilia Zavala, Executive Director
Unlocked Futures
Nation Outside’s mission is to drive policy and practice innovation that builds transformative systems of support for criminal legal system-impacted individuals, families and communities.
Year Founded: 2014
Nation Outside is a movement led by those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, advocating for systemic change through policy innovation, peer-led reentry support, and civic engagement to empower system-impacted individuals and communities.
Nation Outside believes that change begins with those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. By fostering peer-led advocacy, trauma-informed reentry support, and civic engagement, we empower individuals to lead solutions that dismantle systemic inequities. Our work focuses on addressing reentry barriers, advancing equitable access to housing, employment, and education, and amplifying community voices to transform policies and practices that perpetuate harm.
Nation Outside was born from a collective of Michigan advocates in December 2014 who shared a bold vision: to elevate the voices of system-impacted individuals and dismantle systemic barriers. What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a powerful statewide organization leading transformative initiatives and advocating for equitable opportunities for those most affected by the criminal legal system.
Cecilia Zavala
Executive Director
