Latino Prisoners' Alliance for Progress

09/09/2013

**¿Te interesaría apoyar a la comunidad luchando por la justicia social?**

El Grupo de Cultura Hispana de la Cárcel de Monroe está buscando voluntarios que puedan facilitar grupos de discusión de diversos temas además de entregar recursos que faciliten su reintegración a la comunidad.

El grupo se reúne el 2o y 4o domingo de cada mes de 6-8pm. Por favor contáctenos con cualquier pregunta.

Lee más sobre el grupo en la sección de información ("About")

09/09/2013

**Are you looking for a meaningful was to support your community and fight for social justice?**

The Hispanic Culture Group at the Monroe Correctional Complex is looking for volunteers to lead a diverse group of inmates in discussions on a wide variety of topics, from Latin American history and culture to issues of race and justice in the U.S. today.

We meet the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month from 6-8pm in the Monroe Prison. Please contact us for more information.

04/15/2013

A writing from one of our members:

"A Letter from God to Women"
When I created the heavens and earth, I spoke them into being.
When I created a man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.
But you women, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.
From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart, lungs and supports him, as you are menat to do. Around this one bone I shaped you...I molded you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the ribs, STRONG yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man-his heart. His heart is the center of his being, his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the ribcage supports the body...You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head to be above him...You were taken from his side to stand beside him and be held close to him.
Are you my perfect angel...You are my beautiful little girl...You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart...Your eyes, don't ever change them...your lips-how lovely they are when they part in prayer. Your nose- so perfect in form...your hands-so gentle to the touch...I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine... Of all that lives and breathes you are most like me. Adam walked with me in cool of the day, yet he was lonely...He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me I fashioned in you, my holiness, my strength, my purity, y love, my protection and my support. You are so special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions, and together you represent the totality of God. So man, treat women well...love her, respect her, for she is fragile.....

04/15/2013

Something to think about...Are we making the right investments?

04/15/2013

Excerpts from this week's writings:
"It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them. More strength to relate to people than to dominate them. More manhood to abide by thought out principles rather than blind reflex."

"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves that we find in them."

"True toughness is in the soul and in the spirit, not in the muscles and an immature mind."

Thank you to group members for sharing!

04/15/2013

"WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT" from members of the Hispanic Culture Group at the Monroe Correctional Complex:

Stand up for your beliefs in life.
Don't be afraid of failure.
We are all human beings, and we will definitely stumble from time to time.
When this occurs, be strong, and rise back up in good spirit.
Demonstrate to yourself, and others, that we can learn, and succeed past our failures.
Hardships and struggles can sometimes ignite a fire in your soul that will reveal your true purpose in life.
Always keep hope and have love for others, and do your best to not be selfish.
One of the greatest things you can do is help others through the kindness that comes from within your heart.
REmember the past is gone, and today is a new day to be thankful for with genuine gratitude.
Some honest advice to everyone is to keep your eyes open in your walk through life.
Especially for this particular reason, because opportunities can turn out to be great blessings in disguise.
All you need to do is realize, and be smart enough to make a positive choice.
By taking right action to help inspire someone else in a similar way like you have been during your lifetime.

04/11/2013

School or Prison? By Jeff Parker, Florida Today and the Fort Myers Newspress

03/21/2013

Learn more about racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

The new report was released alongside a new appeal to demand a fair sentencing hearing for death row inmate Duane Buck.

03/21/2013

The youthful transgressions of yore are landing kids in jail today. It doesn’t have to be that way.

03/21/2013

Immigration reform is once again the number one political issue for Latino voters. Here's why. / La inmigración sigue siendo la primera prioridad para Latinos que votan.

Immigration reform is once again the number one political issue for Latino voters.

03/21/2013

Learn more about the school-to-prison pipeline, school suspensions, and zero tolerance policies.

Several schools have suspended children for joking about guns in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings. A 7-year-old in Maryland was suspended for...

02/25/2013

Learn about "Entrepreneurs Behind Bars" / Lee sobre el programa "Emprendedores tras las rejas"

Barbed wire and armed guards aren't your typical intro to a startup pitch event. But today, San Quentin Prison hosted The Last Mile Demo Day featuring presentations by seven inmates. The Last Mile hopes that through entrepreneurship, it can prepare convicts for employment and reduce recidivis..