Three Years of Connection: Celebrating A Curiae’s Anniversary Together

What a night.

Last month, A Curiae celebrated its third anniversary at the beautiful Randall Museum, welcoming more than 90 supporters, partners, and community members for an evening dedicated to connection, reflection, and the future of our work.

The room reflected exactly what A Curiae strives to build every day: connection across disciplines, experiences, and perspectives. Community members, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, attorneys, law students, public health students, academics, current and former interns, and many others gathered together in support of a shared vision—one that recognizes the power of relationships in transforming lives.

Some attendees had been part of A Curiae's journey since its earliest days, helping shape the organization from the very beginning. Others were joining us for the first time after hearing about our work through colleagues, friends, and partners. Seeing so many people from different backgrounds in one room was both humbling and inspiring. Our work sits at the intersection of criminal justice and public health, touching many sectors and communities, and it was an honor to bring those communities together under one roof.

Despite the quintessentially chilly San Francisco summer evening, the energy throughout the night was warm and vibrant. Guests spent the evening networking, participating in an exciting silent auction, and learning more about A Curiae's growing body of work.

During the program, we shared updates on our direct service programs, including our community resource connection efforts and the Professional Mentorship Initiative, while inviting attendees to become mentors and join us in supporting individuals navigating reentry. We also highlighted our educational initiatives, from our speaker series to our internship program, both of which continue to foster dialogue and cultivate future leaders in the field.

For the first time, we publicly introduced our oral history project, From Court to Connection. Guests were given a preview of the documentary currently in development and one lucky attendee went home with a copy of the book. It was exciting to share this project and preserve the stories, lessons, and experiences that have shaped collaborative justice efforts.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a fireside conversation between A Curiae Case Manager Becky Davis and Senior District Judge William Orrick. Their discussion explored public safety, treatment courts, the role of accountability and support within the justice system, and the importance of fostering meaningful social connections. More than anything, the conversation demonstrated what is possible when people are given opportunities, support, and community. Witnessing a dialogue between a sentencing judge and a person who has transformed her own life and now serves others in recovery was incredibly powerful. It embodied the very values that guide A Curiae's work.

None of this would have been possible without our dedicated team. I am deeply grateful to Jenee, Cynthia, our Board of Directors, volunteers, and everyone who contributed their time and talents to making our first anniversary event such a resounding success.

As I reflect on the past three years, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Since launching A Curiae, we have grown in ways I could never have imagined—expanding our services, deepening partnerships, and, most importantly, building meaningful connections throughout our community.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, partnered with, volunteered with, and believed in A Curiae. You are part of this story, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.