Protecting Peace. Restoring Power. Rebuilding Lives.

Supporting returning citizens with financial literacy, emotional wellness, and real pathways to stability.

Our Team

Meet Our Founders

Neona "Neechie" James, Founder

Neechie didn't just imagine Protecting My Peace Foundation—she lived the need for it. As a returning citizen herself, she experienced firsthand the maze of barriers that greet people coming home: the denied housing applications, the closed doors, the systems designed to keep people stuck rather than support them forward. Instead of accepting that reality, she decided to change it.

With a fierce commitment to justice, healing, and community empowerment, Neechie built this organization from the ground up, centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by mass incarceration. Her leadership style is rooted in authenticity, trauma-informed practice, and an unwavering belief that returning citizens don't need saving—they need resources, respect, and room to lead.

Today, Neechie works tirelessly to create the pathways she wished existed when she came home, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors is met with dignity, opportunity, and real support. Her vision is simple but revolutionary: a world where returning citizens don't just survive reentry—they thrive beyond it.

Jody James, Co-Founder

Jody James brings both lived experience and strategic vision to Protecting My Peace Foundation. As a returning citizen and community advocate, he understands the unique challenges facing justice-impacted individuals—not from theory or observation, but from walking the path himself. His journey home taught him that true reentry success requires more than just compliance with conditions; it demands access to practical tools, mental wellness support, and economic opportunity.

Jody's work focuses on building partnerships that create tangible impact. Whether it's connecting returning citizens with employment opportunities, developing financial literacy workshops that address real-world reentry challenges, or advocating for policy changes that remove barriers to housing and education, he approaches each effort with both compassion and strategic thinking.

His co-leadership alongside Neechie ensures that the foundation remains grounded in lived experience while expanding its reach and effectiveness. Together, they're proving that when returning citizens lead the solutions, transformation isn't just possible—it's inevitable.

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