Michael Anthony Tyler
Nickname: Young Mike
Age: 28
Paroling to: Northern California Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
I wanted to find an avenue to help others, as well as myself, to better themselves, to find a different way of thinking and looking at things in my life as well as around me. I needed to be around positive thinking.
What does being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow mean to you?
It means I am on my way to becoming a better person. It means I took the first step in changing my future. It holds me accountable, meaning I have people looking to me for help, and I’ve got to stay focused.
Since coming to prison, what have you accomplished?
My anger problems have been manageable. My desire to learn has grown leaps and bounds. My self-esteem has tipped the scales in a manner that allows me to avoid the old traps that had me stuck for a long time. I’m more disciplined in every area of my life, but my eating habits.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love playing football and working out. I’m also passionate about staying in touch through letters, visits, andphone calls with family, loved ones, and friends. I also truly enjoy talking to kids.
What programs are you involved with other than the T.R.U.S.T.?
I am involved in the Squires group speaking to at-risk youth; with No More Tears, trying to find ways to stop the violence;and Impact, teaching us how to become men. I attend Patten University and tutor other men.
What kind of work do you do with the “inside” and/or “outside” communities?
In the inside community, I try to better myself, to be an example to follow in here. I help people in need and show them a better way to live. Outside, I work with kids from the surrounding counties. I tell them the effects of their bad behavior and the chances of coming to prison. With the T.R.U.S.T. program, we try to build a bridge back to the community.
How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
I think before anything else. I think about self, family, and community. I live by these values and let my acions show my values. When others ask, I tell them about TRUST!
What do you want to do after you parole?
I want to pull weeds for my mom and play chess with Pops! I want to talk with kids, young men, and whomever will listen about choices in life (Speaker). I also want to open a restaurant and a Boys and Girls Club.
What are your long-term goals?
To be the man my grandmother wanted.To be a person in the community that people can trust and respect. I want to be able to help my family and community in the best way I can.
Personal message to the outside community:
Just remember how you felt when there was no one there for you. Remember when you needed a friend, and there was none. Remember when you needed someone to follow, and nobody was there. Remember how you felt when you asked to be forgiven and they didn’t. Be there for someone, be that friend, be that leader, and remember to forgive. It can save a life and make the world a better place. Hurt people hurt people. Changed people change people.
Age: 28
Paroling to: Northern California Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
I wanted to find an avenue to help others, as well as myself, to better themselves, to find a different way of thinking and looking at things in my life as well as around me. I needed to be around positive thinking.
What does being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow mean to you?
It means I am on my way to becoming a better person. It means I took the first step in changing my future. It holds me accountable, meaning I have people looking to me for help, and I’ve got to stay focused.
Since coming to prison, what have you accomplished?
My anger problems have been manageable. My desire to learn has grown leaps and bounds. My self-esteem has tipped the scales in a manner that allows me to avoid the old traps that had me stuck for a long time. I’m more disciplined in every area of my life, but my eating habits.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love playing football and working out. I’m also passionate about staying in touch through letters, visits, andphone calls with family, loved ones, and friends. I also truly enjoy talking to kids.
What programs are you involved with other than the T.R.U.S.T.?
I am involved in the Squires group speaking to at-risk youth; with No More Tears, trying to find ways to stop the violence;and Impact, teaching us how to become men. I attend Patten University and tutor other men.
What kind of work do you do with the “inside” and/or “outside” communities?
In the inside community, I try to better myself, to be an example to follow in here. I help people in need and show them a better way to live. Outside, I work with kids from the surrounding counties. I tell them the effects of their bad behavior and the chances of coming to prison. With the T.R.U.S.T. program, we try to build a bridge back to the community.
How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
I think before anything else. I think about self, family, and community. I live by these values and let my acions show my values. When others ask, I tell them about TRUST!
What do you want to do after you parole?
I want to pull weeds for my mom and play chess with Pops! I want to talk with kids, young men, and whomever will listen about choices in life (Speaker). I also want to open a restaurant and a Boys and Girls Club.
What are your long-term goals?
To be the man my grandmother wanted.To be a person in the community that people can trust and respect. I want to be able to help my family and community in the best way I can.
Personal message to the outside community:
Just remember how you felt when there was no one there for you. Remember when you needed a friend, and there was none. Remember when you needed someone to follow, and nobody was there. Remember how you felt when you asked to be forgiven and they didn’t. Be there for someone, be that friend, be that leader, and remember to forgive. It can save a life and make the world a better place. Hurt people hurt people. Changed people change people.
