“How Do I Serve My Community”
Michael Santos says it best when he says to “Be the change you want to see.”
By following this we serve our community by being and example. Walk the talk. Here at Thomson yellow lines were painted to make the compound a one-way on the moves. Even though this did not stick, I have made it a habit of walking all the way to the corner and following it around, rather than cut across like most. When asked why I do that even when the walkway is empty, I tell the men, “I do not cut corners any more in life.” By forcing myself to walk around I mentally remind myself each time that cutting corners was what helped get me here. lead by example.
As I developed over the years in here I also began to find ways to give back to the community by service. I have Life Coached men; facilitated Parenting, Victim Impact; and Life coach classes. I speak at every A&O (orientation) after all the officers are done and share my story and encourage the men to program and increase self-awareness.
I have always been thankful for the men that mentored me and were of service, it was through their selfless acts that I was able to see not only hope for a future, but was able to find my passion for facilitating and helping others and to live a fulfilling life even within these walls. All the while, as Michael Santos says, convincing future stakeholders to see the worth in investing in me.
I would encourage every man and woman inside these walls to find meaning in all of this, and being of service to our community is a great way to do just that.
READ NEWSLETTER ARTICLE HERE: https://prisonprofessorstalent.com/journal-entries/newsletter-8/
