Happy Holidays from Insight Prison Project

Help IPP transform the lives of those impacted by incarceration today!

On behalf of the men and women we support,
thank you!

Robert D. Frye

IPP Needs Your Support!

My name is Robert Frye and I am asking for your financial support of Insight Prison Project.

I've been incarcerated for the past 22 years. I am writing to you today to share an insider's viewpoint into the transformative value of the myriad of programs that Insight Prison Project offers to men like me.

My journey of self exploration and discovery started in one of IPP's meditation classes in 2001. I was initially skeptical - sitting in a room for 45 minutes at a time in complete silence was a little out of my scope, to say the least. It's quite funny to look back on it now. I was so lost and disconnected from my humanity and my authentic self.

My light bulb moment came through the victim offender education program (VOEG). I realized that my deep-seated denial stemmed from the shame and guilt I carried for so many years. I refused to take responsibility. VOEG helped me to confront my underlying shame and allowed me to objectively look at my culpability.

IPP classes such as Violence Prevention, VOEG, Yoga and so many others provide a great service to the men here at San Quentin. The opportunity for men to explore and confront themselves, their history, their trauma, grief, pain, anguish and denial in an open, supporting and non-judgmental way is transforming.

This process is by no means easy, it takes a lot to be able to open "pandora's box" so to speak and to expose yourself to one's faults and insecurities. It's a daunting challenge, but so liberating at the same time. The men here are hungry to do this work and to discover who they truly are. I know if it wasn't for the exposure and the serious work I've done with the many IPP programs I wouldn't be the loving, empathetic and compassionate human being I am today.

In closing, I want to thank you in advance for contributing to IPP. Your contribution indicates that you believe the men inside prison are redeemable - and we are!! They say that doing time is easy. But doing the work of IPP is hard - in a good way. When one discovers what went wrong in one's life and takes accountability for one's transgressions; I call that justice!

How do we as a society want these men to return? For my community, I pray that they have a chance to participate in programs like IPP's in order to be exposed to new possibilities in life.

Peace and blessings to you,

Robert 'Red' Frye Signature

Robert D. Frye

Your support is what enables Robert, and the many men and women like him, to re-enter society as a contributing member. - In gratitude - The IPP Team

Fall Fundraising Luncheon A Huge Success!

For fifteen years, Insight Prison Project has been on a mission: to foster insight and lasting behavioral change by providing rehabilitative tools to prisoners of the California correctional system. IPP's programs are conducted by crime victims and community volunteers - a rare and effective response to our statewide prison crisis and to the needs of prisoners, parolees, crime survivors, correctional staff and our California communities.

This fall, we hosted our 2nd Annual Fall Luncheon in San Francisco to celebrate our efforts and to bring together a diverse group of allies and donors who understand that with personal commitment, understanding, collaboration and the right tools, our broken system need not remain that way. Thank you to keynote speaker Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, survivor Aileen Ford, and IPP success story honoree Leonard Rubio for sharing their stories on insight, accountability, and compassion.

A very big thank you to our staff, board, table hosts, guests, and extraordinary volunteers who helped make the luncheon a huge success! A very special thank you to our supporting sponsors Marin Community Foundation and One PacificCoast Bank Foundation. Your generous support is what allows IPP to transform the lives of those impacted by incarceration.

A Special Thank You to our Amazing Volunteers

A very special and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our transformative work this year either through monetary contributions or by contributing their valuable time and talents. Your contributions allow us to transform the lives of those impacted by incarceration through programs that develop behavior inspired by insight, accountability and compassion. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Marin Academy Collaboration: Thank you to the student service learning group from Marin Academy. In this project, Marin Academy freshman collaborate with local nonprofits to raise their awareness of problems in our local, national, and global communities. The class learned about IPP's work with men and women inside the prison system, and were able to ask questions of our staff, a former inmate, and a survivor.

Fundraising Update

We are grateful to the three major Bay Area community foundations: Marin Community Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, and the San Francisco Foundation for their recent grants to support capacity building here at IPP.

	Our Vision: Insight Prison Project envisions a vibrant and just society that inspires individual transformation beyond the walls of both personal and institutional incarceration. Our Mission: Insight Prison Project transforms the lives of those impacted by incarceration through programs designed to develop behavior inspired by insight, accountability and compassion.