“To combat a problem, you must be willing to utilize all resources needed to find a solution.’”
E. Willingham
When I look back on my life and the life of other young men that come from environments like mine, one of the greatest setbacks we all had in common was the absence of a Voice. A True Voice. A Father’s Voice. A Mans Voice!
Now, I know that I couldn’t be a father to these young men, but I knew I could give them a voice, a Man’s Voice that many of the young brothers of all races that come from fatherless homes needed. In prison, the men’s voices have been left out of many conversations for years. THANKFULLY, on July 2016, that voice has returned through the Man to Man Mentorship Program at Hill C.C.
Being a rehabilitated man myself I knew that I could give these young men some help and advice as to how to make it in prison without having to compromise themselves in any way, and to take advantage of all opportunties that each prison has. “There’s two things that an individual should pursue while in prison: That’s education and a skill!” Both can be great in aiding in their transition into returning home as well as a source for their rehabilitation.
While at Menard C.C. I pursued those things that were available. Working was one of them, and I got into the industry as a result. With that job I was able to obtain a skill. (I’m now a tailor). In 2010 I came to Hill C.C. with the mindset to pursue education, knowing that I’ll be dealing with a different kind of young man because these young brother’s would be returning home at some point. So I started with the clinical classes first:
Parenting: was essential because we all need help in being fathers.
Lifestyle Re-direction: our current situation said we can all use a re-direction on our lifestyle.
Substance Abuse: this generation is born of drugs, born into drugs, and born to utilize and use drugs for many reasons.
Anger Management: The anger is what is seen. The unseen is the hatred, the hurt, the pain, mistrust and the frustration.
After taking these classes, the teacher of the class, Counselor Patch, came to me and asked if I would like to be a Peer-educator. In his Tract 1 class is where we heard the rumblings as to why this institution doesn’t have any programs that allow these young brother’s to be heard, listened to, and helped by their peers. As those questions continued to arise, and being in agreement to what was being said Counselor Patch asked me to put a proposal together that he could go to the Warden with. Weeks later that proposal was passed by the Warden, and the birth of the Man to Man Mentorship Program was set in motion. The mentorship program is not only about our life in prison, but how to maintain while in prison and how to rehabilitate ourselves. It’s also about how to take advantage of those things that help make each and everyone of us a better person. Accomplishing those things NOW, so that we will be prepared come our last day, as well as being ready for what’s to come. We utilize the tools that reform conduct, build self-esteem and build character. We have conversation that allow everyone to know that it’s okay to change. We teach that it’s okay to be different, to learn how to live different; how it’s important to be educated and have a skill. It’s imperative to take advantage of every tool you can acquire because you’ll never know when you might need it. Every one IS great in their own way.
Even though we’re just a few weeks into a 14 week program, I would like to thank the Warden, Counselor Patch, the Mentors and especially the mentees for giving this man the opportunity to give back, and to be a postive “VOICE“.