The LIFE Foundation was established in 2008 by Herman and Machara Atkins to help Americans who have been exonerated after serving time in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. The foundation sends gift baskets to exonerees upon their release, providing them with gift cards to help purchase vital necessities.

Most people would think that the experience of being released from prison after serving years for crimes you didn’t commit would be a joyous moment to remember and should be celebrated as if it was someone’s birthday – an acknowledgement of growing another year older and wiser. For an exoneree it’s just the opposite. The reality of the matter is that exonerees are released back into society and expected to function with little or no resources available to help in the process of acclimating. Herman Atkins was exonerated in 2000 after serving 14 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Six years later, he married Machara Atkins and the couple began to acknowledge the devastating aftermath that so many exonerees and their families were experiencing. Herman and Machara often interact with exonerees during Innocence Network conferences and counseling sessions organized by California Wrongful Convictions.

Experiences with other exonerees had a profound effect on Herman and Machara and left them with the desire to help. Newly released exonerees are given nothing upon their release from prison. Herman and Machara founded the LIFE Foundation (Life Intervention for Exonerees) was hatched to fill this void. The objectives of the foundation are simple. The foundation’s mission is to provide exonerees with immediate needs the day they are released from prison.

Since its conception, the LIFE Foundation has presented newly released exonerees with a gift basket that contains a hat, carrier bag, t-shirt, with the LIFE Foundation’s logo on each item, a bottle of apple cider and gift cards valued at $250.00. The gift cards are given to purchase basic necessities such as hygiene products, underwear, clothing and shoes. The LIFE Foundation hopes to someday present each exoneree with gift cards valued at $1,000.00. Money used to purchase gift cards derive from donations given by supporters of the LIFE Foundation and advocates for the wrongfully convicted and their families.

Click here to make a donation to help the LIFE Foundation support exonerated individuals upon their release.