This experience reminded us that we all have more capacity than we believe and that by committing to change, we can navigate life with a purpose, in service to others.
After years of seeking a way to make amends for the harm I’ve caused my victims, their families, and my community, I started by making small $10 donations to Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California. After a few years, I realized I could do more, which led to the idea of a walkathon, “LWOP Walk for Life 2024,” to benefit Shriners Hospital.
To understand how a walkathon could work in prison, especially at Valley State, I sought help from the Men’s Advisory Council (MAC), other moving parts within the prison, and even the Acting Warden. The Warden liked the idea and requested my proposal. A week later, the proposal was approved.
The planning began. My wellness group, 2nd Chance 2 Society rallied around the idea. After much brainstorming, we set the date for the event, which took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Myself and other individuals serving Life Without Parole (LWOP) hosted the walkathon to raise funds for Shriners Children’s Hospital, with support from the Mental Health Department and outside sponsor Michael Baldwin and Legacy Alliance Outreach.
This idea became a reality through service to others, serving as a model for making amends. Joe Wilson from Shriners Hospital came to support our efforts and welcome all incarcerated residents of VSP to the event.
The walkathon featured an expo with restorative justice organizations such as the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Families United to End LWOP, DropLWOP, the Anti-Violence Safety and Accountability Project Made New Foundation, and Legacy Alliance Outreach. Guests included the Dawny Reb Band and VSP’s own BlackStar Band. As the bands set up, incarcerated individuals signed media release forms and received colored wristbands that indicated the number of laps they would walk. With music filling the air, the residents began walking, engaging with the outside community that had come to show support. The motto “we walk for you and with you” brought both communities together for a greater good, making amends through service while giving hope to Shriners Hospital.
This event gave LWOP residents the opportunity to be seen and heard, humanizing them in a system where they are often forgotten and disenfranchised. Despite setbacks and changing dates, the LWOP community showed resilience and adaptability. In the end, everyone participated in the expo, receiving reentry information, refreshments, and pizza. Afterward, they walked back to their housing units with smiles.
The event was also repeated on another yard, and the LWOP community learned a valuable lesson about collective and individual growth. As David Viscott said, “If you’ve the courage to begin, you’ve the courage to succeed.” And as Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” This experience reminded us that we all have more capacity than we believe and that by committing to change, we can navigate life with a purpose, in service to others.
