About
Advocate Willow Cherry is a trained Adult Peer Support Specialist (APSS) and digital literacy advocate based in Lexington, KY. With a background in Cybersecurity Basics (AT&T Certified) and specialized training in Trauma-Informed Care, Willow combines lived experience with rigorous professional protocols to help others navigate recovery.
For six years, I was silenced by a legal system that values process over people. After enduring nearly 2,000 days of pre-trial detention and the coercion of a forced plea to secure my freedom, I have emerged not as a statistic, but as a survivor. The Willow Cherry Justice & Recovery Initiative was founded to shine a light on the dark corners of the Kentucky legal system—from the abuse of ‘speedy trial’ rights to the misunderstood nature of the Alford Plea. We do not just advocate for one man’s exoneration; we advocate for the thousands of families currently navigating the crushing weight of systemic delay and prosecutorial overreach. My experience is now your resource.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.
Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
Certificate
True justice is more than a court verdict; it is the restoration of a life. Having navigated the intersection of the criminal justice system and personal recovery, I understand that the battle doesn’t end when you leave the courtroom. As a Certified Adult Peer Support Specialist (APSS), I founded this initiative to bridge the gap between legal survival and personal thriving. We provide peer-led guidance for those facing incarceration, addiction, and the stigma of a criminal record. We are here to prove that a person’s value is defined by their future contribution, not their past accusation.
