“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.” Dalai Lama.

Gina’s Team is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and providing leadership, self-reliance, and personal development programs to incarcerated women at Arizona’s Perryville State Prison.

Gina’s Team stands for **Getting Inmates’ Needs Addressed**. Our mission is made possible entirely through generous donations and the dedication of unpaid volunteers. We operate at no cost to the correctional facilities or taxpayers.

Our Story

Founded in 2009, Gina’s Team was established in loving memory of Gina Marie Panetta. The organization was co-founded by Gina’s parents, Chris and Dianne Panetta, along with one of Gina’s former cellmates.

Gina dreamed of becoming a guidance counselor after her release from prison. She wanted to help young girls avoid making the same mistakes she had made and to offer guidance, encouragement, and hope to incarcerated women at Perryville. Sadly, Gina never had the opportunity to fulfill that dream. While still serving her sentence at Perryville, she passed away from undiagnosed leukemia.

Although Gina's life was cut short, her dream continues through the work of Gina’s Team. What began as a way to honor her memory has grown into an organization committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of incarcerated women.

 Our Mission and Programs

Gina’s Team serves the incarcerated population by bringing together passionate volunteers, community leaders, guest speakers, and educators who inspire, encourage, and teach the importance of self-reliance and leadership.

Through a leadership curriculum developed by members of Gina’s Team board, we provide opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and empowerment.

Our curriculum focuses on:

- Self-exploration and personal growth

- Discovering inner strength and self-worth

- Learning to forgive ourselves and others

- Personal responsibility and accountability

- Activism and positive community involvement

- Collaboration and building meaningful connections

- Recognizing individual potential and becoming the best version of ourselves

Our goal is to help women recognize their worth, reframe their thinking, develop confidence, and discover the possibilities that lie ahead.

We believe that meaningful change begins from within. By providing women with the tools, encouragement, and knowledge to transform the way they see themselves and their futures, we help prepare them for a more positive and successful transition back into society.

**Because every woman deserves the opportunity to grow, rebuild, and create a better future.**