RICHMOND PROJECT
The Richmond Project’s mission is to respond to the many complicated social problems of the city of Richmond, California by creating and maintaining a continuous and broad-based working relationship between incarcerated men from Richmond and elected officials, organizations, community leaders, business owners and citizens. It is our belief that the cooperation and organization of community members both inside and outside the prison will successfully reduce crime, violence and recidivism. This combination of the inclusion and proper reintegration of reformed incarcerated men, and reciprocal support between the prison and the community will generate economic empowerment, convert community liabilities into assets, and produce a myriad of desired change in the city of Richmond.
The men in the Richmond Project participate in a condensed version of the T.R.U.S.T. curriculum as well as planning and organizing sessions with community leaders from Richmond in order to work to solve the social problems of the city of Richmond. The goals of the Project are: a reduced level of violence/crime in Richmond; youth leadership and mentors; parental and community involvement; a restored sense of self and community image; and, eventually, a T.R.U.S.T. Community Center in Richmond.
essay contest
Members of the San Quentin Richmond Project recently sponsored an essay contest at Leadership Public High School in Richmond. Through the contest they hoped to instill in students the importance of being involved in their community and to raise public awareness about the Richmond Project. The essays were read by a panel of Richmond citizens, including someone from the Mayor’s office, a clergy person and a teacher. Students wrote 200-500 word essays, responding to the question:
If you were the mayor of Richmond, what three things would you change to improve your community?
The panel chose four inspirational essays based on the following criteria: overall effectiveness, overall focus and organization, overall control of writing mechanics, and overall creativity. Checks were awarded to the students with the highest number of points. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and teacher Kelli Rice, who orchestrated the contest on the outside, presented the awards at Leadership’s Awards Assembly, June 10, 2011. The winners were: First place, Daniela, second place, Sarah, and a tie for third place went to Edgar and Karina. All other participants were given Staples gift certificates. Following are the top four essays: HERE
If you were the mayor of Richmond, what three things would you change to improve your community?
The panel chose four inspirational essays based on the following criteria: overall effectiveness, overall focus and organization, overall control of writing mechanics, and overall creativity. Checks were awarded to the students with the highest number of points. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and teacher Kelli Rice, who orchestrated the contest on the outside, presented the awards at Leadership’s Awards Assembly, June 10, 2011. The winners were: First place, Daniela, second place, Sarah, and a tie for third place went to Edgar and Karina. All other participants were given Staples gift certificates. Following are the top four essays: HERE
