I came to jail work through years of policy advocacy to change the structures of our health and justice systems. I became much more acquainted with the individual harms done by these systems during my time as a legal aid attorney. I met people who had lost everything--people whose belongings were swept away so they no longer had an ID, people who had no safe place to go, people whose distress was misread as criminal behavior. Again and again, I saw that it wasn’t individual failings that brought them to jail, but the failings of our world. Our systems too often make jail and prison the first resort.
In that work, I began to see incarceration less as a story of “broken people,” and more as the evidence of a broken society. Laws are sometimes written so that sitting or lying down in public can be treated as a crime. Mental health crises are met with handcuffs instead of care. We push people out of sight rather than ask what has gone wrong in our shared life.
What drew me to the Anthroposophical Prison Outreach was the chance to turn toward those who are isolated, not to save them, but to walk beside them. To bring light into places our world has darkened. To offer tools for strengthening one’s humanity even in the hardest circumstances.
The walkathon is, for me, a way to live out both perspectives: outside-in, where we work together to change the structures that create suffering, and inside-out, where we meet people heart-to-heart in their loneliness and despair. Both are needed if we are to recognize those in prison not as “others,” but as our brothers and sisters.
This Year’s Walk-a-thon is September 19 – 21 2025
We hope you will join in to Walk, Run, or Cycle!
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The teachings of Rudolf Steiner have the ability to transform the way people think, feel and the way they act. Anthroposophical Prison Outreach makes this wisdom available to a poplulation that would not otherwise have access... men and women who are serving time in prison! Our lending library, meditation instruction, correspondence course and twice yearly newsletters support students in their self-development. The courage and determination of our students is inspiring! Plus as you know, when one person changes, it radiates to those around them. Please join in as a walker this year, gather some sponsors and help APO reach our fundraising goal! Click the 'Become a fundraiser' button above to create your own personal page to share with friends. And, to sponsor a specific walker just scroll down to find their personal page, click to read about their walk and offer your support in the form of a gift to APO. If you prefer to make a general donation, click the 'Donate' button above. Join in anytime, it's fun to see our walkers list grow as we near our event.
Where will this Walk-a-thon be held? It's everywhere! This is a international event with no set course or distance. Walkers, runners, and cyclists can participate whereever they happen to be throughout the weekend. Each volunteer gathers in sponsors and in this way a broad group of individuals sustains APO. Our goal this year is to raise $35,000. This will support over 1,200 people across the US - individuals who are serving time in prison and have taken up a path of inner development through the work of the APO. Thank you for your support, it makes a real difference! Self-control and awareness has taken the place of negativity. It helps the situation so I don't make impulse base decisions that have no substance. Others tell me I'm different and more humble. Arturo, Tabor City, NC Because of studying with APO I've learned to handle myself through difficult and stressful situations. Anthroposophy has yielded me through, and helped me deal with everyday living and preparedness. Ulysses, Grovetown, GA Anthroposophical Prison Outreach is a program of the Anthroposophical Society in America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts are tax deductible to the maximum allowed by law. |
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Craig Ramsdell | 09/18/2025 | $103.66 | I appreciate the work you are doing on behalf of the Christian Community. | Anonymous Friend | 09/17/2025 | $26.19 | Kristen Dauss | 09/16/2025 | $103.76 | Best of luck!! | Anonymous Friend | 09/16/2025 | $52.01 | Mary Mertz | 09/08/2025 | $10.69 | Glad you're on the team, Dan! | Eileen Bristol | 08/22/2025 | $20.00 | Thank you for joining in for this cause! Together we can make a big difference. | Margaret Runyon | 08/14/2025 | $10.69 |
| Total | $327.00 | ||