Our Mission

Our mission is to inspire and empower youth and families to embrace their authentic selves. We achieve this by providing opportunities, such as but not limited to: hands-on experiences , fostering self-expression, healing, creativity, and understanding the importance of discipline.

Through promoting community involvement, we aim to help individuals uncover their truth and thrive despite societal stigmas. Together, we will change the narrative,

#OneLife@ATime.

The inspiration behind One Life @ A Time was inspired by the CEO & Founder’s son, Terry, who was incarcerated at the age of 18. In 2019, he created the One Life @ A Time mentoring program while incarceration, in hopes the program would reach many, to give back to society. Even though he will not be working with the young people. His vision has transformed into a meaningful program in 2024.

Our Founder

Donielle Martin is the face behind One Life @ A Time, INC, and her profound commitment and lived experiences as she watched her son go to prison at the age of 18 and the lasting effects on his life while being incarcerated, makes her a formidable advocate for social justice. Her leadership is crucial in advancing initiatives that support survivors, victims, and those impacted by the justice system, pre-incarceration, during incarceration, post-incarceration, driving meaningful, systemic change. Recognizing that lasting reform begins with the younger generation, Donielle is dedicated to addressing issues at the root by engaging with youth to prevent their future involvement with a broken justice system.

Donielle’s work is centered on amplifying authentic voices and spearheading impactful advocacy, particularly in reforming the justice system.

"One Life @ A Time" is tackling a critical and often overlooked issue —educating individuals who have been incarcerated and are dealing with mental illness reintegrate into society. Navigating mental health challenges after being in prison can be incredibly complex, and advocacy in this area can make a significant difference. Here’s a framework for how family and advocates can help:

Understanding the Challenges:

  1. Mental Health Awareness: Recognize that long-term incarceration can exacerbate or contribute to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions. Awareness of these issues is the first step in addressing them.

  2. Trauma-Informed Approach: Understand that many individuals coming out of incarceration have experienced significant trauma, both during their time in prison and prior to it. A trauma-informed approach ensures that interactions and interventions are sensitive to these experiences.

Support Strategies

  1. Access to Mental Health Services:

    • Identify Resources: Help them connect with mental health professionals, including counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists. Look for organizations that specialize in supporting formerly incarcerated individuals.

    • Navigating Systems: Assist in navigating the often-complicated systems of healthcare and mental health services.

  2. Family Involvement:

    • Education: Educate family members about mental health issues and the specific challenges faced by individuals who have been incarcerated. This helps in fostering understanding and reducing stigma.

    • Communication: Encourage open and supportive communication within the family. Being a listening ear can make a significant difference.

  3. Skill Building:

    • Life Skills: Help them build skills that may have been diminished or neglected during incarceration, such as job readiness, financial management, and interpersonal skills.

    • Coping Mechanisms: Support the development of healthy coping strategies for managing mental health symptoms and stress.

  4. Advocacy and Legal Support:

    • Know Your Rights: Advocate for their rights in accessing mental health services and navigating reentry programs. Legal aid organizations can provide support in this area.

    • Policy Advocacy: Engage in advocacy for policy changes that support mental health care and successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Building a Support Network

  1. Community Resources: Connect with local support groups, nonprofits, and community organizations that offer resources and support for people in their situation.

  2. Peer Support: Encourage involvement in peer support groups where individuals can share experiences and strategies for managing mental health and reintegration.

Long-Term Considerations

  1. Ongoing Support: Recognize that reintegration and managing mental illness is a long-term process. Continuous support and check-ins can help maintain stability and progress.

  2. Celebrating Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones and progress. Positive reinforcement can build self-esteem and motivation.

By focusing on these areas, we can change the narrative “One Life @ A Time” , to help create a more supportive environment for individuals transitioning out of incarceration and dealing with mental health challenges.

 Donielle Martin’s dedication to these areas underscores her commitment to fostering a more just and equitable society. Her commitment to driving meaningful change remains unwavering.

Get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble, John Lewis~

 Request Donielle as a Speaker

"Always pay it forward with the positive energy you bring at every table you have the opportunity, no matter the circumstances."

This encapsulates her approach to life and leadership. This motto reflects Donielle's belief in the power of positivity and the importance of making a difference wherever one goes, regardless of the challenges faced.

— Donielle, Founder of One Life @ A Time, INC.

Civic Engagement:

Participated in the prestigious Hoosier Women Forward Class 5 leadership initiative, joining a cohort of 22 prominent women leaders from across the state of Indiana.

Legislative Advocacy:

Played a pivotal role in advocating for youth rights and influencing legislative change through her involvement in House Bill 1359, also known as "Juvenile Law Matters." Her efforts, through Voices Corp., have been instrumental in shaping policies that impact juvenile justice.

Gun Violence:

 Organized a significant event aimed at addressing the pressing issue of gun violence. Facilitated a roundtable discussion in collaboration with the Day Report Boys with Voices Corp., to gather insights and feedback from the young individuals affected by gun violence.

Commitment to Restorative Justice:

Demonstrates a strong commitment to driving change in restorative justice, reentry, and the judicial system. Her dedication to addressing systemic issues and promoting fairness, rehabilitation, and equity within the criminal justice system is evident in her efforts to ensure fairness and equity in legal proceedings.

Advisor committee member for the Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), a bipartisan effort involving public, private, and community partnerships & contributes to improving the juvenile justice system.

Serves on the Center for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities (CRR/ED) in Juvenile Justice Youth and Family Expert Advisory Council, underscoring her vital role in shaping juvenile justice reform in the United States. The work is supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, and the Coalition for Juvenile Justice.

Diversity Equity & Inclusion:

Board committee member for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Diversity, Inclusion, and Global (DIG) committee.

Recognition:

Nominated for the "Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence." Being nominated for such a prestigious award is a testament to Donielle's dedication, passion, and impact on the community.