Detained Women Contribute
The women detained at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) in Lynwood, California, study from the GOGI book PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN. The women expressed the need for a book directed to the unique needs of women in prison and requested that their words, their art, and their thoughts be included in the upcoming WOMEN IN PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN book to be published this year.
More than thirty women participated in the WOMEN IN PRISON project, donating their time and contributing to areas of the book where they believed their words would have the most impact on others. “It’s about giving back,” GOGI Campus class president Laura W. stated. “It is our responsibility to help each other.” Laura was elected the first class president of GOGI Campus and will maintain her affiliation with GOGI as a Peer Coach and on-going volunteer once she is released.
My daughter Charissa Chotard is currently in the GOGI program, and I must say, Im am so grateful for GOGI. I am a recovering addict I raised my daughter Charissa in a very disfunctional lifestyle. My daughter followed my footsteps. I went to prison in 2004 and when I parolled, I admitted myself into Cri-help, and did 6 months there. And have been clean since then. I know that Charissa is very strong, and with the right tools that Getting Out by Going In is offering I have faith that she too can break free from this cycle of crime, and drugs. I just wanted to express my gratitude. Thank you, Kat Pitt
Comment by kathy pitt — May 11, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Kat,
The most important factor in a person’s sobriety is the willingness to go to any length to preserve the sanity which only comes with sobriety. The individual must be willing to go to ANY length and give up EVERYTHING. You were willing to do what it takes to create a sober life. Congratulations. Charissa is will on her way to enjoy the success you now enjoy. She is maturing and realizing what an important community member she can be. She is devoting her life to the education of at risk youth upon her release. I see her moving in this direction each and every day. I have great confidence in your daughter and you are showing her a fine example of success. Congratulations. ~ Coach Taylor
Comment by Coach Taylor — May 14, 2008 @ 7:34 am