Skip to main content

Gratitude Letters

It gives us the utmost pleasure of having the capability to share these amazing stories with the world, and in return, receiving a plethora of loving, caring, & inspirational messages that we can share directly back to them. But when these men & women take time to not only thank their supporters, but thank the HOSQ team for everything that we do, that is the greatest reward of all & reinforces that our efforts are not in vain. Beyond the appreciated gratitude, some of these men & women also provide updates after their stories have been shared.

Filter

Thank you from Randy

The most impactful moment for me this year was seeing photos of the HoSQ interns making my "Better Than Freedom" cake. That connection to the outside world was indescribable. Since being incarcerated at 16, I’ve often felt discarded by society. Knowing that free people made…
November 25, 2024

Thank You from Chris

Thank you, Humans of San Quentin, for creating space for incarcerated people like me to have our voices heard and our humanity recognized. Dear Humans of San Quentin, A story is never just a single story. Like every human, every story shines differently depending on…
August 27, 2024

Thank You from Francisco

Thanks to volunteers and people who have shown me that happiness comes from appreciating the small things in life, like a smile, I’ve learned to enjoy what I have and not worry about what I lack. When I was outside, I focused on material things,…
August 27, 2024

Thank You from Alonzo

Humans of San Quentin team, you actually spread the gospel with words and deeds. First and foremost, thank you all for helping me open up to the world. What I have gained from the Humans of San Quentin event, I will take with me as…
August 13, 2024

Thank You from Eric

Many incarcerated individuals are often remembered only for the worst things they've done, but this event reminded us of redemption, transformation, and rehabilitation, and that there are people who care about us, even if we have no one.   Thank you for the warm welcome…
August 6, 2024

Thank You from Aaron

I just received my picture from the Humans of San Quentin Recognition ceremony in the mail, and it was a great day. I met the staff at Humans of San Quentin, and they were all good people who really took an interest in everyone at…
July 30, 2024

Thank You from Ivie

I wish I could  tattoo HoSQ on my back to say, “HoSQ Got My Back!”   Dearest and Beloved Diane and Juan, and the entire HoSQ Team, This may sound pretty pretty corny, but you were indeed born to give wings to those of us…
July 12, 2024

Thank You from Regal

Hello Diane, I received your letters. I was very touched by the care and support of the Humans of the San Quentin team. I always consider myself blessed when I hear from my extended family! One of the best memories of the appreciation event was…
July 9, 2024

Thank You from Jared

Puppy update: My last puppy Artemis has gone to do great things and now it’s just me and little Pippa. I hope you enjoy the new pictures of her. Your inside recognition event held on May 2nd was amazing! It astonishes me that people as…
June 28, 2024

Thank You from Tony

After 24 years of doing prison time, the Humans of San Quentin brought freedom to my heart and soul on May 2nd with their recognition event celebrating us. I couldn't believe something like this could be possible: cake, pizza, and amazing entertainment from creative, talented…
June 25, 2024
Photo of Vincent

Thank You from Vincent

What Humans of San Quentin did for me.                    First, I need you to understand that I had no intention of writing a story. I only wanted to do a simple dish called Mac and Mak, which stands for mackerel and macaroni cheese, but I was…
June 21, 2024

Thank You from Harold

I'm grateful for this outlet and who knows maybe in some serendipitous way, this will be my year to manifest everything that needs to happen to make my life a success. I look forward to hearing from you and the team. You guys rock!
May 8, 2024

Thank You from Michael

"Humans of San Quentin has been very cathartic and healing for me and many of us inside Hopefully my story will help someone else in their healing process."
August 7, 2023

Thank you from Rolando

It really does make me feel good when I’m able to give back to the community. It makes my day when I can help someone.
July 24, 2023

Thank You from Cory

"Your kindness has given me a wake up call and a reason to trust again which always has been hard for me to do. I eternally have gratitude towards you. Thank you!”
July 10, 2023

Thank You from Jose

“I’d like to thank you! Not many have empathy for those incarcerated for not abiding by rules of society. For most of us normality was not normal as we come from broken homes, drug-addicted parents, gang-infested and crime-ridden neighborhoods.”
July 1, 2023

Thank You from Clayton

"Thank you so much for this experience. To all the staff of Humans of SQ, inside and out, you have helped me to heal an old wound, and regain power in the process."
June 29, 2023

Thank You from Demetrius

It’s a blessing and good thing that we survived and are still fighting to overcome. The human will and spirit is one of resilience, fortitude, and determination.
June 12, 2023

Thank You from Darren

A few years ago I was thinking of how I not only had this need to be of service to others as a big, big part of my recovery and rehabilitation, but I also hoped to find a way to be an inspiration to others.…
March 13, 2023

Thank You from James

A few years ago I was thinking of how I not only had this need to be of service to others as a big, big part of my recovery and rehabilitation, but I also hoped to find a way to be an inspiration to others.…
February 28, 2023

Receive more inspiring stories and news from incarcerated people around the world.