LaShanna Tyson

LaShanna Tyson is the Founder of Empowering Kids With Incarcerated Parents (EKWIP) based in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Orlando, Florida.  Its sole purpose is to end the cycle of intergenerational incarceration through restorative justice, healing circles, and supportive services that were specially designed to meet the unique needs of the child, caregiver, and incarcerated parent.  LaShanna is also the State Coordinator for the Vincentian Re-entry Organizing Project, which incorporates the issues of women and children into their restorative justice and advocacy work throughout the state of Florida. As a formerly incarcerated mother of three, LaShanna realized the extraordinary difficulties faced by women returning to their communities and their children from incarceration. She saw obstacles to positive family reunification, housing, employment, and education that served as barriers to successful reintegration and she has dedicated her life to advocating on behalf of returning citizens, especially women, and their children.