Free-To-Succeed ‘meet-and-greet’ recognizes academic students
In December, the Free-To-Succeed program gathered every student and its staff, in San Quentin’s Chapel A, for a “meet-and-greet”, to celebrate the accomplishments and the massive effort of every contributor during the past year.
FTS is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities to San Quentin’s’ community. Five days a weeks, from 6 to 8 p.m. the program opens its doors to prepare students.
The students learn English, reading and writing. The common theme for the program is “helping others is giving and giving is receiving?”
“This [program] is a step to be able to get where I’m going, closer to my GED,” said Abel Peña-Catalan, a new student. “I come from another prison…there was no one to teach. Now, it’s almost unimaginable. It’s a night and day change; I’m dedicated to learn.”
FTS is a walk-in program. FTS’s directors, Karen Smith and Daniel Costello, say they are proud of this fact.
The recognition ceremony began with beautiful music by the incarcerated band “Amigos de Rancho” as many of the 63 students arrived for the evening’s proceedings.
Throughout the night of students courageously took the stage to read letters of gratitude for their teachers, in English. The monumental achievement was cheerfully applauded.
Most of the students were uneducated, but they are now writing. They bravely spoke publicly in the language they are trying to master.
“There’s a magic that happens when the ‘code clicks’ in the brain of the students learning to read and write,” said George Dykstra who originally founded the program back in 1996.
The magic is evidenced by the program’s many volunteers, that see real progress and the achievement of men.
“I love teaching! I love to sit beside people who want to learn; it’s so rewarding.” Said Susan, a volunteer who recently joined the program. “Sometimes the students ask me, who is it easier to work with: the kids in the classroom or with them. ‘I said, ‘them’, because they really want to learn.’”
Susan the program in September, after getting in touch with the program’s director. “I was always interested to get to know the prison population,” said Susan
Volunteer Delphino joined the program last summer as a teacher. He runs the ESL [English as a Second Language] class with resident Mauricio Arroyo. The students begin with no English skills, but quickly progress to almost intermediate level.
“They come every Monday with so much energy,” he said. “They make me bring my A-game. I tell everyone, ‘the students motivate me.’”
The highlight was resident Tyrone earning his GED after a very challenging time during the pandemic. His grandmother had made him promise that he’d earn that desired certificate, but then she passed away. The road was long and difficult, but the end result was a complete triumph and a promise kept, he said.
“I’ve learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” read volunteer Ms. Smith, as part of Tyrone’s letter upon graduation. “Surround yourself with people who are different to grow in the uncomfortable process.”
To close, Mauricio Arroyo came to the stage to offer a few words of gratitude to the administration. “We have created a giant monster now,” he said, speaking of all the students who are willing to come and learn English.
The evening ended with a duet by violins playing “Holy Night” and hymnbooks with Christmas music were offered for the participants to join in and sing.
Free-to-Succeed is completely open for all. The program’s resident tutors: Carlos Drouaillet, Rene Fonseca, Raymond Melberg, and Arroyo all dedicate hours, expertise and a listening ear to the men who attend FTS.
―Arsenio Leyva, Contributing Writer
