FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 13, 2026
Commitment Will Expand Life-Changing Opportunities, Family Experiences and Support for Corrections Professionals and Their Loved Ones
Alexandria, VA – The American Correctional Association (ACA) is proud to announce a transformational $500,000 charitable commitment from Mr. Elliott Broidy, Founder and CEO of Leo Technologies, in support of the ACA Caring Connections Program, an initiative dedicated to supporting corrections professionals and their families through meaningful experiences, family enrichment opportunities, and assistance during times of need.
The gift will provide sustained support for the program, allowing ACA to expand opportunities for correctional officers, community corrections professionals, healthcare staff, educators, and other corrections employees and their families. Through the Caring Connections Program, families are given opportunities to experience moments of joy, connection, inspiration, and encouragement that otherwise might never be possible.
Mr. Broidy’s generous commitment represents the most significant philanthropic investment ever received by the American Correctional Association in support of the Caring Connections Program and reflects a profound commitment to the well-being of corrections professionals and the families who support them.
“Corrections professionals serve our nation’s communities every day, often without recognition and frequently under extraordinary circumstances. Behind every correctional professional is a family that shares in those sacrifices. The Caring Connections Program recognizes that reality and provides meaningful support and extraordinary opportunities for families. I am honored to support this important effort and help ensure that those who serve others are not forgotten.”
Elliott Broidy, Founder and CEO, Leo Technologies
ACA Leadership Applauds Commitment
ACA President Ricky Dixon highlighted the importance of the gift and its long-term impact on the profession.
“This extraordinary commitment from Mr. Broidy is far more than a financial contribution. It is a statement of appreciation for the men and women who dedicate their lives to corrections and for the families who support them every day. Through the Caring Connections Program, we have the opportunity to create hope, strengthen families, and provide experiences that become lasting memories for children and parents alike. Mr. Broidy’s generosity will touch countless lives and strengthen corrections families for years to come. On behalf of ACA and the profession we serve, we extend our deepest gratitude.”
Ricky Dixon, President, American Correctional Association
The ACA Board of Governors also recognized the significance of the contribution.
“The Board of Governors is sincerely grateful for Mr. Broidy’s vision and commitment to the corrections profession. This transformational gift strengthens ACA’s ability to support corrections professionals and their loved ones while ensuring the Caring Connections Program can continue expanding its reach and impact. The generosity demonstrated through this contribution will create opportunities, inspire families, and provide unforgettable experiences for years to come. This investment reflects the very best of our profession and its commitment to caring for one another.”
ACA Board of Governors
Kelli McAfee, ACA Director of Conventions, reflected on the personal impact of helping create Caring Connections experiences for participating families.
“ACA Caring Connections has been one of the most meaningful programs I have had the opportunity to be a part of during my career. Planning conferences is something I have done for many years, but this program has reminded me that there is a story behind every attendee, every registration, and every event.
Getting to know these families and seeing the conference and the American Correctional Association membership through their eyes has given me the opportunity to see what a difference a dedicated team and an association that cares can make. What started as a small idea – bringing a family to a conference, creating a special experience, and taking care of the details so they can simply enjoy being together – has meant so much to these families going through an incredibly difficult time. The most rewarding part has been seeing the joy, excitement, and sense of belonging these experiences can bring.
Our Caring Connections families are not just guests at our conference; they become part of the American Correctional Association family. Caring Connections has reinvigorated my passion and dedication to creating meaningful experiences. Caring Connections has shown me what is at the heart of our work at the American Correctional Association.”
Kelli McAfee, ACA’s Director of Conventions
Families Share the Impact
At its core, the Caring Connections Program is about creating moments that bring families together and provide memories that last a lifetime. For many recipients, the program has opened doors to opportunities that would otherwise have been out of reach.
One corrections family reflected on an unforgettable day made possible through the Program.
“Our son has always loved baseball and dreamed of stepping onto a Major League field. Through the Caring Connections Program, that dream became a reality when he was given the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. We were able to meet players, coaches, and even spend time with members of the ownership group. Watching our son take the field and receive that kind of encouragement and recognition was emotional beyond words. It was more than a baseball game. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that our family will cherish forever.”
Caring Connections Program recipient family
Another family emphasized the value of creating special memories together.
“The Caring Connections Program gave our family an opportunity we never imagined possible. For a weekend, we were able to put aside the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life and simply enjoy being together. Seeing our children’s excitement, watching them experience something truly special, and creating memories that we will talk about for years to come was an incredible gift. The program reminded us that some of the most important moments in life are the ones we share as a family.”
Caring Connections Program recipient family
These stories represent the heart of the Caring Connections Program. While every experience is unique, the impact is often the same: stronger family bonds, renewed hope, and memories that stay with families long after the event has ended.
Investing in the Future of Corrections Families
The Caring Connections Program reflects ACA’s commitment to supporting the people behind the profession. As Executive Director Robert Green emphasized, they are “The Story of Us.” Coined nearly three years ago, this phrase became a guiding principle for the American Correctional Association, reflecting its commitment to uplifting and celebrating the corrections profession while expanding the narrative about the people who serve.
The $500,000 commitment will help expand family enrichment opportunities, youth-focused experiences, educational initiatives, wellness resources and future opportunities designed to strengthen corrections professionals and their families nationwide.
The program operates on a simple belief: the corrections profession is more than a workforce; it is a family. By creating moments of joy and providing opportunities for connection, the program seeks to recognize the sacrifices made every day by correctional professionals and the loved ones who stand beside them.
“This remarkable charitable donation from Elliott Broidy is ultimately an investment in people. It is an investment in families, in children, and in the dedicated professionals who serve our communities. Whether it is helping a child meet a professional athlete, creating an unforgettable family experience, or providing support during challenging times, the Caring Connections Program exists to remind corrections professionals and their loved ones that they are valued, appreciated, and never alone. Thanks to Mr. Broidy’s generosity, many more families will have the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
ACA leadership
About the ACA Caring Connections Program
The ACA Caring Connections Program is an initiative of the American Correctional Association dedicated to supporting corrections professionals, their families, students entering the profession, and individuals facing unexpected hardships. Through family-centered experiences, charitable assistance, educational opportunities, and community partnerships, the program strengthens the corrections profession by investing in the people who serve it and the families who support them.
Media Contact
American Correctional Association
206 North Washington Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 224-0000
Website: www.aca.org
[email protected]