Toy Beasley, President
Background
Toy Beasley is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a dedicated advocate for systemic policy change aimed at educing barriers faced by individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. He earned his certification through the Drug and Alcohol Counseling Training Program (DACT) at Illinois Central College.
Currently serving as President of the McLean County Reentry Council (MCRC) and a member of the leadership team with the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition, Toy is committed to advancing equity and creating opportunities for people affected by incarceration and substance use challenges. Through his work, he seeks to dismantle systemic barriers, promote self-efficacy, and support individuals as they rebuild their lives and actively participate in and contribute to their communities.
Passion
Toy is passionate about drawing out the unique strengths of those he serves, inspiring them to envision and pursue brighter futures. He believes deeply in the capacity for growth and transformation, grounded in his own lived experience as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and change. By sharing his personal journey, Toy offers hope and encouragement, demonstrating that change is not only possible but within reach.
Through mentorship, advocacy, and direct engagement, Toy helps individuals confront and overcome cycles of dysfunction and barriers to success. His empathetic and motivational approach empowers them to navigate discomfort, develop new patterns, and achieve positive, lasting outcomes.
Vice President – Vacant
Michelle Cope, Treasurer
Background
Michelle’s goal as Outreach Library Associate at the Bloomington Public Library is to connect people and organizations with the resources they need, helping those who have been justice-impacted seems a natural extension of that role.
Passion
She wants to ‘invite the uninvited’ and make them feel welcome in our community. I love finding ways to take away barriers that keep people from being successful in what they are trying to achieve.
Heather Johnson, Secretary
Background
Heather is a dedicated Realtor and advocate for equality, especially for those seeking a second chance. She understands that life can lead to tough situations and wrong choices, even with good intentions. With a heart for the unheard, Heather has spent years volunteering in her community. She founded two food rescue programs, delivering food from stores directly to those in need, and led a youth art program for over 150 kids at Eastview. Always involved, she stays active in her kids’ schools and continues making a difference through her work and volunteer efforts.
Passion
Heather embraces the joys and challenges of parenting teenagers and takes pride in helping others realize their dreams. A master at navigating chaos, she often finds herself in the role of an unpaid therapist—a talent she jokes could have been her calling. With a knack for graphic design, Heather expresses her creativity while also taking on the task of organizing everyone’s lives, even if her own sometimes gets left out. These passions fuel her connections and keep her inspired.
Kara Powell, Board Member
Background
Kara is the Director of YWCA Labyrinth program, which provides outreach case management and transitional housing for women who have been justice-impacted.
Passion
Working at Labyrinth has opened her eyes to the barriers that individuals face after incarceration, and she want to be a part of a council that focuses on eliminating the barriers for those affected.
Langston Pates, Board Member
Background
Langston is from Central, Illinois. Currently, he owns and operates a six figure a year moving company, Team Relocation. Langston takes earned income from his moving company and invests it into real estate to grow passive income and financial freedom for himself and his family for generations to come. Langston is a father to 7 children, an employer to 5 men, and a servant to 1 God. This was not always his narrative. Before his success, Langston walked a very troubled path throughout his 40 years on this Earth.
Riddled by multiple prison terms, drug addiction, and co-dependency Langston lost his children to social services. During his incarceration, Langston had finally had enough. He decided to go back into the world with a different mindset. He wanted to add as much value to the universe as he possibly could using his gift. The thing he does the absolute best with the least amount of effort, manufacturing and delivery!
Keith Green, Board Member
Keith works at Rivian Automotive, helping build the future of electric vehicles with precision, dedication, and pride. Before joining Rivian, he was a CNC machinist at Pursuit Aerospace, where he specialized in manufacturing components for commercial jet engines, military fighter jets, and helicopters.
Born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago he faced some of life’s hardest lessons very early. He spent 14 years in prison for non-violent drug offenses. Though incredibly difficult, and facing many tests, these years transformed him.
During that time, he became a licensed barber, a skill he has practiced for over 16 years. This passion has allowed him to mentor, build trust, and connect with others in personal and meaningful ways.
In addition to working full time at Rivian, he is also a co-owner of The Den, a community-driven event space dedicated to hosting celebrations, gatherings, and events that bring people together.
For Keith, the Den is more than a business, it’s a symbol of second chances, growth, creativity, and a chance to give back to the community that has embraced him.
Tara Trefzger-Blessent, Board Member
Tara brings over two decades of experience in the fields of criminal justice, mental health, and substance use treatment. She is completing her Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration with a certificate in Restorative Justice from the University of Oklahoma and holds degrees in Social Work and Criminal Justice Sciences.
As someone with lived experience in the justice system, Tara is passionate about building pathways to redemption and accountability. She co-founded RoadDog Café, a grassroots outreach initiative, and leads The Echoed Whisper and Ink, a publishing platform uplifting voices shaped by resilience.
Her work focuses on reentry support, trauma-informed systems, and restorative approaches to justice. Tara believes real change happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued—no matter where they started.