The IF Project is a movement rooted in the power of lived experience—where currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, community partners, and law enforcement come together to change lives and dismantle the cycles of incarceration and recidivism. At the heart of it all is one simple, profound question:
"If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here, what would it have been?"
That question was first asked in 2008 by Seattle Police Detective Kim Bogucki during a visit to the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW). What began as an effort to build trust between law enforcement and incarcerated mothers soon sparked something much bigger.
Kim’s visit was part of her work with Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, aiming to reassure incarcerated parents that their children were being supported with dignity and respect. When she posed that one question to the women inside, one mother—Renata Abramson—took it to heart. She invited others at WCCW to share their answers. Weeks later, Kim returned to find 25 handwritten essays waiting for her.
That moment became the spark for a national model of change—where the voices of people impacted by the justice system aren’t just heard but lead the way forward.
The IF Project is a gender-responsive nonprofit organization that prioritizes the experiences of those impacted by incarceration. Through truth telling, empathy, and awareness—we heal, empower, and transform ourselves, our families, and our communities.
We envision a world without mass incarceration and the generational harm it creates. A world where communities provide equitable opportunities, where every person is valued, and where all of us are free to explore who we want to become.