Amy Friedman

United States of America

Trip:

Los Angeles, California

Mentored by:

Vera Futorjanski

Business

Co-Founder and Executive Director of POPS the Club

Amy Friedman’s decision to co-found POPS the Club to support youth impacted by incarceration grew out of her personal experience raising the daughters of her ex-husband who was incarcerated through their youth. In 2002, Ms. Friedman remarried, and she and her husband decided they must find a way to help young people overcome the hurdles associated with incarceration. 

Amy Friedman’s decision to co-found POPS the Club to support youth impacted by incarceration grew out of her personal experience raising the daughters of her ex-husband who was incarcerated through their youth. In 2002, Ms. Friedman remarried, and she and her husband decided they must find a way to help young people overcome the hurdles associated with incarceration. 

The mission of POPS the Club is to establish and sustain high school clubs for students who have been impacted in any way by the prison system. The clubs nourish, empower, and inspire through creative expression, emotional support and development of community. POPS the Club fosters healing and empowerment among the students served, providing them with the tools and confidence to educate the broader community through their published works. POPS the Club’s vision is that no one shall struggle alone or bear the shame, stigma and sorrow too often connected to those who endure the pain of the prison system. 

Ms. Friedman has published hundreds of articles, seven books and the story columnTell Me a Storyfor Universal Press Syndicate.  

Mentored by:

Vera Futorjanski

United Arab Emirates

Trip: Los Angeles, California