Skip to main content

Untitled document 2022 02 08T173709.135 e1644371153902

Dear Diane, Juan, Marcus, Joe, Rosita, Andrea and the voluminous number of volunteers.

Hello, Team of Humans of San Quentin organization,

Thank you so much for the wonderful surprise. I had really no idea what would happen when I wrote some of my thoughts down and sent it off to you all. Not only was I shocked, I couldn’t stop smiling all day. Just having an outlet means so much to me. At my darkest moments, I nearly gave up. But something fabulous kept me from going through that door of eternity. The thought of going down without having fought for something righteous. It was either take myself out or allow the beast in my soul to release. Rather than continuing to hurt people, lead gangs of men to destruction, I chose to live for more.
When I was looking for an outlet to build a positive platform on, a guy I didn’t even know gave me your information and it changed my life. So thank you for your passion and dedication, you give me the strength to be positive and lead others down a righteous path. I’m inspired to write books about life on the streets that lead so many to this prison world. As a great artist, I’m creating a series of children’s books complete with magical meaningful art. You all gave me hope in a hopeless situation.

Your organization proved to me people care and they want to hear our voices. You brought humanity back to me and I’ll work tirelessly to get as many people as possible to write to you so they can too feel inspired like I do.

Sincerely, with love and respect:

Courtney

PS.
You can give my contact info to anyone who asks for it. Any way I can help you all grow, I will.

📬

These stories arrive by mail.

Every month, a physical envelope arrives at your door, postmarked from San Quentin Village, California. Inside, you will find original artwork, writing, and recipes from real contributors, along with a personal letter from me, Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, about the people who made them. You read it. You keep it.

Every piece comes from someone serving a sentence. Every piece reminds you they are so much more than that.

📬 Join the Mail Club

Leave a Reply

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