What can IMPACT do for you? Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things can change your life! IMPACT is the largest self-help program at San Quentin, serving approximately 100 men from the Mainline and 45 men in H-Unit every Monday night.
How will this program change your life? Through IMPACT you will learn about you, about who you really are. You will be provided with skills to identify things you need to do to be successful both inside prison and upon release. You will learn such things as What is a Man? (about Mr. BS) about Image vs Reality, you will learn about Addictions, Violence Prevention, Relationships, Financial Literacy and much more. This is a program for those that are serious about making a commitment to AIR (Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility) and to a road to a better life.
What is so different about our program? Firstly, IMPACT is facilitated (not taught) by fellow inmates, inmates who have gone through over 160 hours of IMPACT training in order to help us all learn the skills to succeed in life. IMPACT uses its own copyrighted manuals and PowerPoint presentations, each week moving through the Modules and Sessions of the program. Our evening starts with the whole group working together on the current Session and then we break-out into small groups to discuss in depth the issues and exercises presented that night. This is an opportunity to share and learn in an intimate personal setting. IMPACT is a strictly confidential program – what’s said in IMPACT, stays in IMPACT.
Men of San Quentin who have been through our program are now on the streets successfully contributing to their families and communities. These men are teaching IMPACT at the CDCR Dept. of Juvenile Justice throughout the state (and being paid by the CDCR) these men are Drug & Alcohol Counselors, Plumbers, Sheet Metal workers, and Heavy Equipment Operators. These men, to a one, attribute their success on the streets to what they learned through IMPACT. To quote one individual, “if it hadn’t been for the things I learned through IMPACT and other programs at San Quentin I would not have been able to handle the extreme family pressures I’ve been under since returning to society. I now understand the importance of having this as my strength to draw from when in a high pressure situation”. –ex-San Quentin inmate paroled after serving 10 yrs.
Want to know if IMPACT is right for you? Ask around, there is someone near you who has been through our program they will not hesitate to tell you how it has changed their lives, their relationships with fellow inmates and with their families and staff.
I can explain the benefits of IMPACT but I believe hearing it from someone who has been where you are can explain it better:
“Parole was something that I never thought would be possible. Yet, today, I’m convinced that as we accept the challenge to looking beyond our past and anticipate a redefined future, our goal of making a positive IMPACT on others will unfold before our eyes. Are you willing to accept that challenge? Then prepare to meet the new you!” Edward Ramirez, Lifer – Paroled 2005
“Our acknowledgement of the reality of injustice in our lives is not enough to gain our freedom. We must find the courage to transform our eager yet passive desire for change into concrete action that will most assuredly free us. Project IMPACT provided the concepts I needed in order to ACCEPT the challenge and fight for my life. It is with gratitude today that I work alongside you. ” Bryan A. Smith, Lifer – Paroled 2007
“In life there are opportunities that we must take advantage of that will ensure a better future; IMPACT is one such opportunity; Take It!”. A. Leonard Neal, Served 24 yrs 11 months 7 days – Paroled 2005
IMPACT is ready – are You???