The Francisco Homes are five neatly kept and well maintained houses in South LA, each with a yard, each offering the first step back to freedom for 60 remarkable men who were formerly incarcerated.
In July and August 2013, the men were invited to participate in a series of writing workshops offered by author Diane Lefer and made possible in part by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Some men from transitional housing offered by HealthRight 360 joined us. The workshops were planned to give the men opportunities for self-expression (including improvisation and drawing) but we also hope their words will help to change public perceptions not only about people who've come home from prison but about the California prison system itself. These writers, whose voices are rarely heard, are, after all, the experts. This website and the book, Turning the Page, which we will publish in September, could not exist without the grace and cooperation of the men who agreed to allow their words to be included--with or without their real names, and some of whom gave permission to include their photos. If you missed the book signing and discussion on Saturday, September 21 when we distributed free copies of Turning the Page, you can still download a free PDF copy. Read. And open your heart. We welcome your comments via the CONTACT US tab above. If you are interested in learning more about The Francisco Homes or donating in support of the transitional housing program, please click here. Now, meet some of the men and read what they have to say as they turn the page. |
Thank you to everyone who came out to join us at the book signing and discussion on September 21st at the Exposition Park/Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Library. And thanks to the audience members who took the time to leave comments, including these:
It was great. The speakers were great, they're from the heart, and we need more of this. Not just in South LA but all around California they should hear about this. Thank you.
I'm really glad I came today because I think it's really important for other people to get exposed to what's going on in the prison system. There's so much conversation in the media about it but we don't really get any firsthand information or experience or association with it so the more you do, the more you understand how difficult and different everyone's point of view is and how the prison system is failing the people it's incarcerating. It's not trying to help them. It's trying to punish and we need to turn that around.
Thank you for a wonderful event, very important true stories to get out to the public. People need to know what these experiences are. Thank you.
I think the program is wonderful. I really enjoy the book. I like the fact that there is a living breathing document that lets these gentlemen to leave their mark on the world and lets them express themselves and lets them have an outlet and a vehicle for being able to help them in their transition and recovery. Writing helps people cope in a lot of different ways. and I think that this is a wonderful outlet. As a therapist I always encourage my clients to always use whatever vehicle they can for expression and this is a wonderful vehicle for expression.
Beautiful. I mean there are no words. I mean I'm a poet and I'm lost for words. But this project is awe inspiring. These are the types of things we don't imagine when we're in prison, this sort of acceptance. We're so ashamed, we live a stone cold life and getting out we expect rejection and this here was inspiration and motivation and I thank you guys.
I was very impressed with the growth and maturity and insight that was given to us today and I encourage whoever embarked on this will continue to have it for the public.
It was great. The speakers were great, they're from the heart, and we need more of this. Not just in South LA but all around California they should hear about this. Thank you.
I'm really glad I came today because I think it's really important for other people to get exposed to what's going on in the prison system. There's so much conversation in the media about it but we don't really get any firsthand information or experience or association with it so the more you do, the more you understand how difficult and different everyone's point of view is and how the prison system is failing the people it's incarcerating. It's not trying to help them. It's trying to punish and we need to turn that around.
Thank you for a wonderful event, very important true stories to get out to the public. People need to know what these experiences are. Thank you.
I think the program is wonderful. I really enjoy the book. I like the fact that there is a living breathing document that lets these gentlemen to leave their mark on the world and lets them express themselves and lets them have an outlet and a vehicle for being able to help them in their transition and recovery. Writing helps people cope in a lot of different ways. and I think that this is a wonderful outlet. As a therapist I always encourage my clients to always use whatever vehicle they can for expression and this is a wonderful vehicle for expression.
Beautiful. I mean there are no words. I mean I'm a poet and I'm lost for words. But this project is awe inspiring. These are the types of things we don't imagine when we're in prison, this sort of acceptance. We're so ashamed, we live a stone cold life and getting out we expect rejection and this here was inspiration and motivation and I thank you guys.
I was very impressed with the growth and maturity and insight that was given to us today and I encourage whoever embarked on this will continue to have it for the public.