05/17/2019
BLOG: 04/19/19; UPDATE
MY LAST UPDATE WAS in January. But, a lot has transpired over the past six months and I've been on an emotional rollercoaster like never before, since. I want to make sure everyone is UP TO DATE ON MY LIFE:
* NOV... Since transferring to this prison in April/2018, I advocated for a 64 man, Veterans Dorm. In November, it was approved with two conditions. Only 32 veterans and share the dorm with 32 men in the Substance Abuse program. We agreed but there has been, and still is, a lot of contention between the two "communities". I am still advocating for a full veterans dorm.
* DEC... I was denied parole for the 13th time. As always, I was extremely optimistic while waiting for six months. Then, as always, I went into a bout of depression once denied. I just had to struggle and pull myself out of it. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months.
* NOV - MAR... Conversely, 30 men at this prison have been paroled over the past five months. Three were veterans, in the new veterans dorm. One was my friend, Greg Goodman (USMC). He and I had worked on many positive ventures together over the past ten years. Such as parole plans, Veterans issues, N2C, fundraisers, etc. Now, I am confident there is another person who is ready, willing, and able to help me secure my freedom. In the end, I was very happy for all of them, sad for me, yet optimistic for my next parole hearing.
* JAN... My wife, daughter, and granddaughter moved into our new home, in Fredericksburg, VA. It is a beautiful home and community for my wife and family. Also, it is a great place for my transition once released. It is located between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA where most of my supporters are based. This was a very emotional because I was severely limited in being able to help. And when I could help, it came through my father and my friend Donald.
* JAN... I've been in contact with some recently paroled, "Reformed Citizens". They have hit the ground running as community activists, prison reform advocates, motivational speakers, etc. And, they know my commitment to do likewise. We are establishing a network of reformed offenders and ex-offenders, to affect positive change together. Also, three have agreed to accompany my wife and mother to their parole board meeting in June or July.
* JAN... With January being National Mentoring Month; I proposed a fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Richmond, VA. This was the first offender fundraiser at Augusta. So I took the lead in organizing it, recruiting two offenders to assist me, and inspiring others to donate. In the end, we donated $200.
* FEB... I began the newest therapeutic program, Victims Impact: Listen and Learn. It is a 13 week program that teaches the impact of every type of crime. It is very intense with crime victims or survivors speaking to our class weekly, either via video or in person.
* FEB... Parole Board Member, Linda Bryant, visited and spoke to the Veterans Support Group. She gave a lot of information which another veteran and I compiled into 7 pages of notes. I later distributed a copy to each dorm. I am working to obtain certain documents she suggested our supporters have for their meeting with the parole board. My supporters will meet with them in June or July. My parole hearing is in July.
* MAR... I (almost) finished my first book, "L.I.F.E. Sentences: Liberating, Inspiring, Fomenting, and Encouraging Sentences for Incarcerated Offenders". The book is a collection of quotes and maxims, with my commentary, to help offenders overcome obstacles and strive towards success during incarceration. However, once my wife began editing and we discussed it, we realized something. Most of the books written in a short/slim version, from prisoners, lack a certain substance we are striving for. So, we decided I would write the additional pages needed to create a 365, daily reader/affirmations book. Plus, my wife has published the first 90 pages in e/format through Amazon for another idea. We are asking our relatives, friends, and supporters to purchase it, read it, and give us feedback. This way, I can fine tune it before it is completed and published in paperback.
* APR... The month of April honors Crime Victims' Rights Week. I and two other offenders are organizing a special event featuring speeches, poems, and presentations by offenders to honor this occasion. We have a tentative date set for Friday, April 26th.
* APR... Building upon our success, I and the two other offenders are organizing a fundraiser to benefit the Kendra Smith Family Lifeline Movement. This nonprofit provides school clothing to the children of homicide victims.
* APR... Submitted an essay to be considered for a college class sponsored by Washington and Lee University. It is a 4 credit course, titled: Leading Teams. It focuses on leadership and empowerment, to enact positive change in a variety of contexts. Only ten prisoners are chosen to be in a class with ten students from Washington and Lee University. From April 22 - May 15, 2019; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 1:30 - 4:30. I was selected for a class last year and it was a great experience plus I earned 3 credits. Thankfully, I was chosen for this one too. I start class on Monday.
* TODAY... I am finishing every project or class I started, preparing to observe Ramadan (30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset and spiritual rejuvenation through prayer) in May, gearing up for my parole hearing in July, formulating a fundraiser for National Night Out in Fredericksburg, VA in August, and writing the second half of my book.
IN CLOSING, I will go in detail about a few of these highlights in my next blogs. May The Most High God continue to bless all of you and your families.
Respectfully,
Victor Alvelais
Conscious Muslim / Veteran Advocate / Social Activist / Reformed Offender
