Local hip-hop poet Bomani Armah works with young inmate.
"I'm thinking about some stuff to do right if I get out there
on the streets...I'm writing you about some books... I don't know if
I'm asking for too much, but once I learned how to read, I just wanted
to read even more."
— Antonio, age 18, DC Jail
Supporters
Profile of a Free Minds supporter
An Interview with Soncyree Lee
DC Public Schools Incarcerated Youth Program
An
accomplished seamstress, Soncyree Lee always thought she would become
a fashion designer. Her family knew differently though. They saw the way
that children flocked around her at family gatherings and knew one day,
she would become a teacher. She began her career as a special education
teacher in Delaware in 1994 and has been working in education ever since.
In 2004, she began teaching with the Incarcerated Youth Program at the
DC Jail. She is now the Director of the program that ensures educational
services are provided for all incarcerated youth in DC up to the age of
22.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing students engaged in learning and discovering that “Ah-Ha” moment.
What impact has reading had on your own life?
Reading helped me develop a love for gaining new knowledge about other cultures and experiences in life.
Why do you love to read?
Reading takes me away from everyday situations to my own world of fantasy, drama, or suspense. The more I read, the more I realize I can do anything that I put my mind to do.
What are your favorite books?
Eat, Pray and Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
From the Heart, Seven Rules to Live By, by Robin Roberts
The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd
Who Moved Your Ladder? By Samuel R. Chand
Come On People, Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint, MD
A book that made a huge impression upon my life was Pretty Woman, by Fern Michaels.
This novel is about a woman setting a goal to improve her image which had an impact on her self esteem. Once she had this new discovery in life she was able to love herself and others. I enjoyed this book so much that I wrote the author!
What do you think of Free Minds?
The impact which Free Minds brings to the incarcerated youth is a list that never ends. I love seeing the students’ eyes light up when Tara and Kelli arrive with bags full of books that will enrich their lives. The dialogue that occurs during the book club meetings is impressive.
Thank you, Ms. Lee!
Supporters
We are so grateful for the generosity of both the individuals and institutions who make our work possible. Free Minds receives and has received financial support from the following foundations:
Capitol Hill Community Foundation
Collins Riley Fund
Commonweal Foundation Fund of The Community Foundation for the National
Capital Region
Compassion Capital Fund's Communities Empowering Youth Program
Dealey Foundation
Global Fund for Children
Harman Cain Family Foundation
Herb Block Foundation
Jovid Foundation
Lainoff Family Foundation
Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
New York Avenue Foundation
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Snave Foundation
Social Solutions
Spring Creek Foundation
Su Pau Foundation
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
World Bank Community Outreach Program
Xcel Energy
Free Minds thanks Mr. Devon Brown, Director of the DC Department of Corrections, Warden Simon Wainwright, Deputy Warden Brenda Ward, Reverend Betty Green and all of the dedicated staff at the DC Jail who continually support our program.
