About me
Avalon Betts-Gaston is a Chicago native, non-licensed attorney, ordained minister, and passionate advocate to dismantle and change current systems while building a system of care and accountability focused on humane justice and harm reduction, not just punishment. She is the first known formerly incarcerated Board Chairperson for Community Renewal Society, a 140-year-old faith-based organization and also serves on the boards of Chicago Votes, Challenge II Change, and Giving Others Dreams. Avalon is a 2023 Soros Justice Fellow, a member of the FreeHer Campaign Advisory Council, a 2022 JLUSA Leading with Conviction Fellow and the Executive Director of the Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice.
