David Lewis spent many years turning his life around, and helping other convicts and ex-cons get their lives on track. The East Palo Alto City Council honored him by naming a social service building The David Lewis Reporting Center.
The 54-year-old father of four was murdered in 2011, years after winning parole from San Quentin.
Lewis is best known for his fight against substance abuse when he co-founded Free at Last in East Palo Alto. His role with Free at Last gave him recognition as a certified master facilitator.
He worked with a variety of people, from substance abusers to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to former President Bill Clinton.
Lonnie Morris, a current San Quentin inmate, said he met Lewis in the early ‘80s. Lewis was serving a 10-year- to-life sentence.
Morris said he remembers the day Lewis told him how the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake changed his life.
“David and I were standing in the South Block Rotunda,” Morris said “We ran out because we thought the air-ducts were going to fall on us.”
Morris said the correctional officers went to the upper yard, leaving several inmates in their cells unattended. “‘I’ve got to stay out of here,’” Morris said Lewis told him. “’I don’t ever want to be in a situation where someone has so much control over my life,’” Lewis concluded.
Julie Lifshay recalled working with Lewis in a San Quentin self-help program called Breaking Barriers, which teaches participants to change their thinking by using a cognitive reality model.
“He was training us on the Breaking Barriers concept,” said Lifshay. She added that the newly named building “keeps his name and spirit going.”
The building at 2277 University Ave. offers ex-convicts assistance in re-entry.
Lewis’s name will appear on all relevant documents, signs and materials, according to a resolution passed unanimously by the East Palo Alto City Council.
Acting City Manager Ron Davis said Lewis’ leadership gave credibility to the program, which provides housing, substance abuse treatment and job training and placement to released prisoners, reported the Palo Alto Daily News.
Gregory Elarms, 59, a childhood friend, is accused of the killing. He was recently found mentally competent to stand trial.
