Jacie Minnick

Education:

Master of Science in Leadership and Change – St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – Hanover College, Indiana

Experience: Jacie Dawn Minnick is an inspiring advocate for social justice, prison abolition, and youth empowerment, with over a decade of dedicated experience working with marginalized communities. Originally from Indiana, Jacie's journey began at Hanover College, where she founded and led a volunteer organization aimed at mentoring incarcerated youth at the Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility. This initiative not only provided recreational activities and skill-building workshops but also created a nurturing space for belonging and hope among young women in a maximum-security setting.

After her time at Hanover, Jacie took on the role of Psychiatric Social Services Specialist at the same facility, where she became known as "Minnick" in the Netflix docuseries Girls Incarcerated, filmed prior to her move to Austin, Texas.

Currently, as a Juvenile Justice Program Specialist at Girls Empowerment Network, Jacie focuses on facilitating self-efficacy programs for justice-impacted youth, particularly girls and gender-expansive individuals. Her work spans correctional facilities and community settings, emphasizing the importance of confidence-building and leadership skills. She manages program logistics and collaborates with community partners to foster holistic youth development.

Beyond her professional commitments, Jacie actively volunteers with organizations like Seedling Mentors and Austin Sunshine Camps, and serves on the Leadership Team at the Young Women's Alliance. Her advocacy extends to raising awareness about systemic barriers affecting justice-impacted individuals, highlighting her belief in the power of community and collective action to create networks of support that uplift and empower everyone.

What I love about Girls Empowerment Network: The work of Girls Empowerment Network resonates deeply with my values, as it empowers girls and gender-expansive youth to recognize their potential and thrive. I am honored to be part of an organization that extends this empowerment to those most affected by systemic injustice, particularly within the juvenile justice system. Being able to contribute to positive change in our community is both humbling and profoundly fulfilling.