Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Emotional Wellness Through Connection with Nature
Today I focus on mental wellbeing by tending plants. The “Sembrando Paz” vivarium had over 16,000 seedlings, including rare native trees, and became a therapeutic oasis in a harsh environment ICRC Blogs+4ICRC+4Hopebuilding+4. Goal: spend peaceful, reflective time in the garden daily—tell my worries to the plants, observe growth, breathe, find calm. Routine: After chores, spend […]
Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Cultivating Community & Leadership
Today I commit to strengthening community bonds by stepping into a leadership role. Eco‑Sólidos shows how collective action—motivated by Franklin Ayón and supported by ICRC—can unify warring factions, reduce conflict, and lift morale www.laestrella.com.pa+4The Guardian+4ICRC Blogs+4. Goal: become a team facilitator—coordinate shifts, welcome new participants, mediate differences, celebrate successes. Daily actions: ● Begin by helping […]
Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Planning for Reintegration & Future Purpose
Today I define a future roadmap, inspired by Eco‑Sólidos alumni who joined GeoAzul or started businesses, with reoffending dropping from ~65% to ~45% Justice Trends+5The Guardian+5Hopebuilding+5. Goal: create a structured five-step reintegration plan. Steps: 1. Identify vocational interests: e.g., recycling management, carpentry, agriculture. 2. Build credentials: track hours and outcomes in my skill. 3. Create […]
Estevan Baquera-07/12/2025
We got locked down again yesterday but they let us out this morning to go to Unicore. I was able to grab my college homework so i will be able to complete it this weekend. I was suppose to interview for RDAP but it was rescheduled due to the lockdown. I have learned perseverance in […]
Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Building Purpose Through Environmental Stewardship
Today I reflect on a goal that can give meaning to every waking hour: taking responsibility for my environment. At La Joyita prison, prisoners started Eco‑Sólidos in 2014 to transform waste into value—composting food scraps, recycling plastics and aluminum, and planting trees. Now 80–90% of all garbage is recycled, drastically improving sanitation and morale Basura […]
Scott Roethle-07/12/2025-Midway along the journey of life
Dante wrote in Inferno: “Midway along the journey of our life I woke to find myself in a dark wood, For I had wandered off from the straight path. How hard it is to tell what it was like, This wood of wilderness, savage and stubborn (the thought of it brings back all of my […]
Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Eco-Sólidos: Rebuilding Community in La Joyita, Panama
From the other side of the world comes a powerful testament to inmate-led change. At La Joyita prison in Panama City, former extreme overcrowding and filth plagued lives. In 2014, inmate Franklin Ayón proposed a solution: EcoSólidos, a recycling program theguardian.com. Inmates organized to collect plastic and waste, recycling it to sell for profit. Over […]
Rhonda Muncy-07/12/2025
I have been quilting for about 9 months and I just finished my tenth quilt. So proud of myself!!! Now we ae being told some of the quilts will be passed out on family day in December to the children. I’m going to work on some boys quilts as we have many already made for […]
Joseph Troy Williams-07/12/2025
I’m trying to avoid the idea that my journal entries should be profound. I think public journaling has a tendency for this pressure. Really, I’d just like to write about my experiences and how they are changing me. I once was told to journal as if no-one else would ever read my entries. That’s how […]
Justin Norcutt-07/12/2025-Keeping the Wheels Turning
This morning kicked off with a full plate and two crews heading out in different directions. Coordination and clear communication were key as we divided up responsibilities for two separate projects—both requiring precision, planning, and safety. One crew headed to the University District to take on roadwork along 4th Street (between Highland and Cherry) and […]
