By JoAnne Allen

A book is a small thing to share with somebody. Yet a book can lead to big changes in the life of someone who receives it. I’ve always known that. But on a recent Saturday I was reminded of the power of books to transform and connect us to the world beyond our homes and neighborhoods. Seeing that concept played out in real lives at a VFW Hall in Takoma Park was awe-inspiring.

Free Minds members with event organizers

FM outreach team Gary, Maurice, Sherman, and Tara, with author George Pelecanos and event organizers Busy Graham, Robin Mize, and Sandy Moore.

I’d been invited by a friend to attend a fundraiser for an organization I knew nothing about. Party for a cause, my friend said, adding that there’d be live music and dancing.  I accepted my friend’s invitation. I’m so glad I did.

That’s how I was introduced to “Free Minds” and learned that the group conducts a book club and writing workshop for Washington’s incarcerated youth.

Meeting co-founder Tara Libert and learning about the group’s work was uplifting. Meeting three young men from the Free Minds book club and hearing them read from  “They Call Me 299-359,” a collection of club members’ writings, reminded me of my effort to try to focus more on the positive.

With courage, tenacity and commitment, Tara and Free Minds and the young people who are at the heart of the organization’s mission show that even small actions can have a big impact.

I thought of the courage it must have taken for the three young men to stand on stage before a room full of strangers who are not like them, introduce themselves, and read from their own publication poignant words that give voice to the voiceless.

Charlie

FM Poet Ambassador Charlie shares his poetry with the audience

I thought of the courage it must have taken Libert and others to go into a jail and try to connect with a group of young strangers who are not like them, share books, and encourage them to read and write down their thoughts.

I thought of how tenacious the Free Minds people had to be to make this program work – by getting in and just going back — and how tenacious the incarcerated youth who participate must be to keep coming back.

I thought of how deeply committed they all have to be to not give up when it is so easy to become discouraged and walk away.  Indeed, the three young men who shared the stage with Libert each hailed her commitment to the book club.  They must be equally committed to the cause  — there are about a million other places they could have been on a warm summer night.

I thought of how much both the mentors and the mentees are benefiting from the meaningful connections they’re building with people, a tool for becoming more resilient in the face of stress and adversity.

Free Minds and the young people who participate in the book club and writing workshop are my new role models.

George Pelecanos

Author George Pelecanos speaks to the crowd in Takoma Park

Courage, tenacity, commitment are traits I admire in them and traits I want to develop.

By the end of the evening, I had volunteered my services to help in some small way.

I was moved by what I’d seen–a reminder that anyone really can have a positive impact on the world around him or her. It’s start by doing one small thing–like giving someone a book.

By the end of the evening, I’d gained much more than I’d contributed to the fundraising event.

The live music was a nice bonus, too.

 

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.