(See “Critical Reading” in Chapter 1)

1

To Whom It May Concern:

2

It is with enthusiasm that I am writing to support parole for Rodney Strong. In his work for Diamond Educators as a mentor to young men, he has made a positive contribution to the at-risk youth in the city of Boston.

3

Diamond Educators is a nonprofit mentoring program that serves at-risk young males who attend Boston public schools or who live in the inner-city neighborhoods of Boston. The mentors of the Diamond Educators program are multicultural male educators and professionals who grew up in the city of Boston and who dealt with adverse conditions that the majority of our young minority males face every day, conditions that often result in bad life choices. The adverse conditions I refer to are living in an environment where young men cope with peer pressure to join a gang and involve themselves with drugs, crime, and violence; single-parent homes; and a lack of positive male role models. Our mentors help young men chart a course through their difficult situations. These mentors are an invaluable resource for our young, urban, minority males.

4

As a mentor, Rodney demonstrated commitment and dedication to our program and to our students. Rodney worked long hours, but he found time to meet and counsel his mentees. He showed his mentees the importance of meeting commitments, taking responsibility, and having a positive purpose in life. He was a good example of how positive peer relationships can transform lives.

5

Rodney gave these young boys hope. He showed his mentees that by applying themselves and taking advantage of the resources available to them, they could achieve success in life. Many of the boys otherwise live without hope of any kind and choose paths that jeopardize their own well-being and that of others in the community. That hope is essential to becoming a productive member of the human community. Rodney is a leader with a strong will to achieve his own success and to help others find theirs.

6

The path to success for urban minority males is extremely difficult, and, as with many difficult courses, progress is not always direct and uninterrupted. Rodney stepped off course and made a poor decision when he committed a crime. However, he has demonstrated that he has learned from his mistake and is ready to return to his community as a positive force. He is ready to contribute to society, and to keep him incarcerated deprives us of a good man, a good leader, and a good role model for young men. His release will show his mentees that there is hope of a good, lawful life after jail.

7

Rodney is dedicated to being a good father and a good community influence. Unlike many who return to the community after incarceration, Rodney will not persist in a life of crime; he will return to his path of success and contribution. Keeping him from that serves no purpose.

8

I support Rodney Strong and will continue to support him after his return to the community. I urge you to consider his good work and to allow him to continue it.

Sincerely,

Shawn Brown, Cofounder

Diamond Educators