Kerisiano Asuega’s wife lives in Los Angeles. Because she could not make the trip to San Quentin, it created a rift in their relationship. An innovative program run by Centerforce and its Back to Family class healed the rift. The program paid the expense for his wife to come to participate in an eight-hour couple’s enhancement workshop designed to bridge the gap created by incarceration.
Asuega and 47 other men graduated from Centerforce’s Back to Family in a ceremony on September 23, which was held in H-Unit’s visiting room, highlighting the end of a five-year program that officials are looking to extend.
“This is important work and being a father is one of the most important roles in life,” said Centerforce Executive Director Carol F. Burton, addressing the crowd of grateful men. “I want to congratulate you all for completing the 12-week course.”
Burton has been at the helm of Centerforce for three years. She sat as the course instructors and guests took turns speaking to the graduating fathers.
A central part of the Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood program, the Back to Family course is a 12-week parenting class offered to men in H-Unit as part of the Stand-up curriculum started by former Warden Robert Ayers Jr. Men learn the communication skills needed to overcome the challenges incarceration imposes on relationships.
“The information they gave us was good. It will help me have better communication skills with my kids and family,” said Braulio Reyes who will parole shortly and is enthusiastically looking forward to reuniting with his family.
For the past five years Back to Family held three classes each school semester taught by a dedicated team of professionals. Each instructor added his or her expertise, building a people-friendly atmosphere, which made the program a cultivated success.
On the 2010-2011 team were Dolores Lyles, Family and Children Services manager; Suzanne Gothard, Couples and Family Services specialist; Teresa Lee, program assistant, and Arnold Chaves, Spanish Class instructor.
The project, which was funded by a grant from the United States Department of health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, served 448 unique men as of the 3rd quarter of its fifth year at San Quentin. In addition 70 men and their partners participated in all day Couples Enhancement Workshops, focusing on effective communication.
Centerforce hopes to bring the program back to San Quentin when they receive replacement funding.
