At Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), we believe that freedom should never come with a price tag.

For many people in our community, court-related debt — like probation fees, restitution, and home confinement costs — creates an impossible cycle. When people can’t afford these fees, they risk further punishment, extended supervision, or even incarceration, simply because they are poor.

The Court Debt Fund exists to interrupt that cycle.

This fund is 100% grassroots and community-funded, built on the belief that people deserve support, dignity, and a real chance to move forward. Every dollar raised goes directly toward helping community members stay free, remain with their families, and avoid unnecessary harm caused by financial barriers in the legal system.

For over 40 years, DARE has fought for social, economic, and political justice in Rhode Island. The Court Debt Fund is one way we turn that commitment into immediate, tangible support for people who need it most.

When you contribute to the Court Debt Fund, you’re not just paying down debt —
you’re helping someone stay housed, stay employed, stay connected to their family, and stay free.

This is what community care looks like in action.
Thank you for being part of it.

Court Debt Fund Fundraiser

Keeping People Free Through Community Support