Dana Horner

Volunteering with the Oregon Prison Project (OPP) has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Sitting in the rooms with both men and women alike, I have witnessed how powerful it is when we’re offered tools of empathy and compassion for self-reflection rather than judgment. Again and again, I have seen how being truly listened to has opened up spaces for accountability, compassion, and real change. What has impacted me the most is the shared humanity that emerges in these spaces. While each person's story may be different, including my own, we all seem to have a connection around pain, loss, and trauma. Healing happens in these rooms of empathy, compassion, and connection. These are not soft skills; they are essential tools for personal responsibility, repair, and hope.