Not long ago, I met up with Diane who founded HumansofSanQuentin.org - a non-profit project that collects and posts real stories shared by people currently incarcerated in prisons throughout. Similar to some of P.A.T.H.’s goals, HumansofSanQuentin aims to “…bring awareness and build connections ... to give voice to the unheard by sharing daily life inside prison…to educate and build compassion by sharing the lives of the humans living behind bars”.
Having personally volunteered for 1-1/2 years mentoring men at SQ, I was impressed with Diane’s passion and told Diane that PATH would love to collaborate. So, I wrote to all the incarcerated artists I know who participate in PATH art fundraising projects, inviting them to submit their own stories to Humans of San Quentin. One man in particular – Jesus Cortez – a most fabulous artist who I have come to highly respect and befriend, contributed his moving and insightful story, which you can read by logging on HERE!
This past Spring, Jesus organized a group of men to sew face masks: not only for the prison staff and those incarcerated at Avenal State, but for essential workers and the local public community. From what I understand, well over 5k face masks were sewn and distributed (with the help of those in charge) by the Youth Offender Program at Avenal State Prison. I wrote about it in a May 21, 2020 PATH blog that you can read HERE!
Thank you for your abiding interest in and compassion for those behind bars.
God bless!
Leslie
Photo:
Jesus Cortez and Family
Jesus with men from their church group. Left to right: Brother Justo, Brother Joel, Jesus and Brother Isaac.
Pencil drawing that Jesus made for me, because I love hummingbirds