Dreaming Justice Project: A Visionary Approach to Healing, Abolition, and Empowerment

NATIONWIDE - DECEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) Dr. Christy Perez’s journey began in the chaos of childhood trauma but has since blossomed into a mission of profound resilience and transformation. At five years old, Perez’s life was forever changed when her mother was murdered. Raised in Maryland's foster care system, she faced further abuse, and by the age of thirteen, Perez found herself living on the streets. But amidst hardship, Perez encountered communities that would ignite her bold vision for justice and healing.

Today, Perez is the founder of the Dreaming Justice Project (DJP), an organization that reimagines safety through abolition, care, and community. She has turned her trauma into a powerful call for change, urging society to rethink how it treats its most vulnerable. Perez believes that justice should not simply be about punishment but about restoration, compassion, and the recognition of humanity.

From Survival to Transformation

Perez’s early life in foster care was marked by tragedy. After witnessing her mother’s violent death, she was subjected to further trauma within the system that was supposed to protect her. By the time she was thirteen, Perez was living on the streets, relying on the support of older trans women and queer individuals. This network of solidarity offered Perez an early glimpse of what care and safety could look like, even in the face of adversity.

Though she faced the harsh realities of survival sex work and addiction, Perez’s resilience allowed her to eventually turn her life around. At nineteen, she was arrested and faced charges that oversimplified her complex struggles. It was within the prison system that Perez began her transformation, earning a doctorate degree while incarcerated. This experience allowed her to critically examine the structures that had shaped her life, reinforcing her belief that justice should focus on healing, not punishment.

The Dreaming Justice Project: A Vision for Abolition and Care

After her release, Perez’s focus shifted from surviving to advocating for systemic change. She turned to journalism, using her voice to expose the failings of the criminal justice system, especially its impact on marginalized communities. In 2024, Perez’s reporting earned her the PJP Stillwater Award for Best News Story, a recognition of her dedication to shedding light on these critical issues.

But Perez’s vision extends beyond merely reporting problems; she is offering solutions. Through the Dreaming Justice Project, she promotes an abolitionist framework that prioritizes care, healing, and community empowerment over punitive measures. DJP’s core initiatives, such as Justice@Work Consulting, Healing Without Punishment, and Next Chapter Reentry Support, are designed to offer individuals opportunities to rebuild their lives rather than be trapped in cycles of punishment.

The Dreaming Justice Project also emphasizes education and community building. Through workshops, teach-ins, and leadership coaching, DJP empowers individuals to challenge oppressive systems. Perez believes that true change begins when communities are equipped to take action, either through political education or practical support structures.

Award-Winning Leadership and Recognition

Dr. Perez’s visionary work was recently acknowledged when the Dreaming Justice Project received the Best Social Justice Leadership in Georgia of 2025 award at the Evergreen Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights DJP’s exceptional contributions to social change, justice reform, and community empowerment. Under Perez’s leadership, the organization has become a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, offering practical solutions and a transformative vision for a just and compassionate society.

In addition to this award, Perez was named Atlanta Pride Grand Marshal in 2025, further solidifying her status as a leader in both the abolitionist and LGBTQ+ movements. “I want our whole village to come together,” she said during her acceptance speech, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective action in the fight for justice.

The Heart of Justice: Compassion and Resilience

Perez’s approach to justice is deeply informed by both lived experience and academic insight. As an Afro-Latina public theologian, she views justice as a spiritual practice rooted in compassion. “Resilience makes you strategic,” she says, “but healing makes you visionary.” This philosophy shapes her work at the Dreaming Justice Project, where she seeks not only to dismantle harmful systems but also to build something better, one centered on healing, care, and community.

Building a Future of Abolition

The Dreaming Justice Project is still growing, but its impact is already palpable. DJP’s programs provide vital support for individuals navigating systemic challenges, such as reentry into society after incarceration or overcoming barriers to employment and healthcare. Through initiatives like Dream Builders Career Lab and DreamWell Health Initiative, Perez and her team help individuals heal and thrive, proving that justice and care can coexist.

Perez’s commitment to abolition is grounded in the belief that alternatives to incarceration rooted in care and compassion are not only necessary but possible. Through DJP’s programs, Perez is showing that a future without punishment is not just a dream, it’s a reality worth building.

Join the Movement for Justice

The story of Dr. Christy Perez is one of resilience, transformation, and a call to action. It is a reminder that the power to create change lies within the collective efforts of those willing to imagine, build, and liberate. Through the Dreaming Justice Project, Perez continues to lead the charge, creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to live, love, and dream without fear.

To learn more about Dr. Perez’s transformative work and how Dreaming Justice Project is changing the landscape of justice, visit Dreaming Justice Project. Stay connected with Dr. Perez on her social media platforms at:

• Instagram: @the.djpc

• LinkedIn: Dr. Christy Perez

• MuckRack: Dr. Christy Perez

• Website: Uncaged Critique