The Petey Greene Program Launches "Going Greene" Educational Justice Awareness Week

CEO Convening and Benefit bookend annual week spotlighting food justice behind bars and second chance employment.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Petey Greene Program presents Going Greene, its Annual Awareness Week and Benefit for Educational Justice, running September 16-25, 2025. This year's theme, "The Right Ingredients for Change," focuses on addressing critical challenges faced by returning citizens, particularly food insecurity and unemployment, while highlighting innovative solutions emerging from the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.

Convening on Fair- Chance Hiring in Philadelphia

All are welcome to join Philadelphia-area C-suite leaders, The Petey Greene Program, and the Eastern State Center for Justice Education for a special panel discussion on championing second chances through employment. We will explore how fair chance hiring creates pathways to economic freedom for justice-impacted individuals.

Moderated by CEO Jeffrey Abramowitz, the panel will feature voices from the culinary world, including representatives from The Hart of Catering, organizations transforming lives through training, mentorship, and meaningful employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.

"Inclusive hiring practices don't just change individual futures—they strengthen businesses and communities," Abramowitz noted. "We're bringing together business leaders to discuss practical approaches to second chance employment."

Annual Benefit Honors Transformative Leader

Going Greene culminates with the organization's signature benefit on Thursday, September 25 at 6:00 PM at Rivers Casino Philadelphia. The event will honor Brandon Chrostowski, award-winning chef and 2025 James Beard Honoree for the Impact Awards, who founded the EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute.

EDWINS provides a transformative model for holistic reentry, offering intensive culinary training and hands-on work experience while providing comprehensive support including free housing, medical care, legal services, clothing, job coaching, and educational support.

The benefit brings together students, volunteers, donors, staff, and community members who support the organization's mission of advancing the academic and career goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality tutoring and educational programs. 

Other awards include the James S. Farrin Volunteer Award honoring Anagha Krishnan in recognition of her dedication and service to provide high-quality educational services to the Petey Greene community. Krishnan developed the STEM Unbarred program, a series of monthly hands-on science demonstrations offered to students at the Youth Services Center, a youth correctional facility in DC. “I was just one volunteer with a crazy idea, and The Petey Greene Program said yes." Krishnan says.

 The Petey Greene Program’s Educational Excellence Award will go to Starlyn Adamson in recognition of his dedication and commitment to academic development. Adamson worked with a PGP tutor to pass calculus and graduate from Rutgers in the spring of 2025.

Continuing Petey Greene's Legacy

The week-long awareness campaign continues the legacy of Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, the pioneering community organizer, civil rights activist, and media personality who used his platform to raise awareness about poverty, income inequality, and structural barriers facing formerly incarcerated people.

"Petey Greene understood that education and opportunity are fundamental to breaking cycles of incarceration," said Abramowitz. "Going Greene honors his vision by addressing the systemic challenges that continue to affect justice-impacted communities today."

Multiple Ways to Get Involved

The public can participate in Going Greene through various opportunities:

  • Attend a free September 17 webinar on food justice behind bars

  • Join the September 25 benefit at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

  • Participate virtually with pay-what-you-can donations

  • Donate tickets for justice-impacted students to attend

About The Petey Greene Program 

The Petey Greene Program supports the academic and career goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality tutoring and other educational programs. Named after pioneering civil rights activist Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, the organization operates on the belief that education is a powerful tool for transformation and social justice.

Media Contact: Catherine Halley, The Petey Greene Program 347-526-5023 challey@peteygreene.org  https://www.peteygreene.org

Event Details:

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