Community volunteers and prison educators shared hamburgers and pizza with inmates to celebrate a literacy program’s 13th annual Student Acknowledgment Night.
“In order to connect and be an effective member of the community, education is paramount,” said Tom Bolema, San Quentin literacy coordinator and chief sponsor of a literacy program called Project REACH (Reaching Education Achievement and Change with Help). “Getting a GED is a meaningful accomplishment, and the gateway to a higher education.”
About 25 prisoners are enrolled in the program, which Bolema took over two years ago when its sponsor, Debra Shelton, retired. She attended the event to offer her continued support.
The program was founded in 1999 when Jane Curtis collaborated with San Quentin inmates with high school diplomas or GED certificates who wanted to help other inmates prepare for GED certificates. New inmate tutors are trained by Madeleine Provost of Marin Literacy Library.
Supplemental classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays nights, led by community volunteers Jacqueline Nelson, Kony Kim, Nicole Lindehl, Yvette Copper, June Fesler and Carly Stair.
“The students are incredibly dedicated,” said math instructor Sue Pixley. “A lot of students pass the GED test, and then return as tutors to help others improve themselves.”
“I was fortunate enough to go through PUP (Prison University Project). and that experience changed by life,” said program Chairman Bobby D. Evans Jr. “Now Project REACH has given me a way of giving back,”
“My motivation to be involved with Project REACH is the zeal to help others achieve greatness and for me to be an example to youngsters who want an education,” said Kevin Carr, secretary of the group who has been with the program since 2007.
Danny Cox said working as a project tutor has given him the opportunity “to enrich others’ lives as well as to make sure every individual who pursues a GED can accomplish their goal.”
