The Fortune Society presents “The Castle”

“Profoundly eloquent,” said Variety.

Four formerly imprisoned New Yorkers, with a total of 70 years of incarceration, relate their journeys of crime, privation, and redemption. A breathtaking drama you will never forget. Many of the stories center around living at The Castle, a 60-bed transitional housing facility run by The Fortune Society that helps people who have been incarcerated re-enter their communities. The stories they tell are about the power of redemption beyond a criminal justice system. They speak about being locked up on Rikers – as well as in state prisons such as Attica – and their lives on the street.

Conceived and directed by David Rothenberg

Written in collaboration with and performed by:

Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Philip Hall, Ervin Hunt, Casimiro Torres

This panel will feature a diverse group of AVP facilitators who have experienced the program both inside correctional facilities and in their lives post-incarceration. Through personal stories, they will reflect on the transformative power of AVP, sharing how it shaped their journeys of healing, self-discovery, and reintegration. The session will highlight the lasting impact of AVP on individuals and communities, offering a powerful look at its evolution over the past 50 years 

This is the time when we honor those in AVP who are no longer with us.  If you wish, you can submit a slide with a photo and/or quote that will be shown during this time. We will be speaking out of the silence on each of these beloved folks. 

Submit picture and quote to conferencechair@avpusa.org.