Sandra Barnhill National President
Driven. A hard taskmaster. Faithful. These words give you an idea of the dynamic, tireless person Sandra is. In 1987, she set out to better the lives of a special population of children, their families, and their community. She founded the organization now known as Foreverfamily, one of the nation’s first nonprofits dedicated to supporting children of imprisoned parents. Beginning with the primary goal of bringing child and parent together, Sandra has overseen the expansion to include guidance for the incarcerated parents, programs for caregivers, and efforts to help the children develop the academic and interpersonal life skills they’ll need to become productive contributors to our community.
Indeed, the smooth operation of the predominantly volunteer-run programs is a remarkable testament to Sandra’s incredible and inspiring leadership. As an Annie E. Casey Foundation fellow, she was recognized for her ability to bring together diverse groups for a common social goal. She received the highly-selective Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World award, which recognizes leaders who are “tackling the nation’s most entrenched social problems, getting results and changing lives.” Yet for all her no-nonsense leadership style, the first thing about her that will catch your eye is her quick smile.
Sandra looks forward to being challenged everyday on the job, yet her one wish? She says without a second thought, “That I could work myself out of a job and tomorrow we’d close these doors.”
In her previous life, Sandra worked as an attorney and received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Georgia State University.
James Leavell Program Director Foreverfamily Louisville
James Leavell is the part-time Program Director with Foreverfamily Louisville’s Men’s Program. He is married to Faye Russell-Leavell and is a father and grandfather. James holds a BS Degree in Sociology from the University of Louisville and has acquired hours towards a Masters Degree in Social Work. He is also a graduate with an Associate’s Degree from Samford Bible College in Birmingham, Al. He began his career that spans over 25 years in human services in 1978 as a counselor with the Center for Youth Alternatives. Since that time, James has held numerous positions in local government and non-profit organizations as a Supervisor, Senior Social Worker with youth group homes, National Center for Adult Literacy- Family Education Program, Family Intervention Services, and the Louisville Youth Opportunity Network. Currently at the Louisville Urban League, James oversees a highly successful program “Making it Work “that specifically targets former inmates in the community and provides job readiness training and placement assistance. James serves on several boards and committees including the Jefferson County Public School Fatherhood Initiative and is a CAPA member (Christian Association for Prisoner Aftercare) where he serves on the National Planning Committee.
James began working with Foreverfamily Louisville’s Men’s Program as the group facilitator in 2008 at the Dismas Charities Portland facility. In 2009, he was offered the part-time position of Program Director of Foreverfamily Louisville. To date a total of 50 men have graduated from the 8 week training program and approximately 200 adults and children have attended the Family Celebrations. James continues to facilitate the weekly group meetings for the fathers and is responsible for administrative duties as well as oversees the volunteers and student intern. He states that his commitment to Foreverfamily is due to his strong belief in the agency’s mission of engaging incarcerated fathers and mothers with their children and the strengthening of the family by helping fathers realize they have worth, value and are necessary. “I am excited that Louisville was chosen as the primary site for the Men’s Program but believe it should be offered around the country. My life today is extremely God centered and I have been delivered from much wreckage of my own past. This is not work but ministry and I pray that my efforts continue to be pleasing in God’s eyes”.
