What is the Freedom Within Prison Project?
Freedom Within Prison Project, or Freedom Within, focuses on the inner personal growth of men who are incarcerated. The aim of Freedom Within is to establish settings where incarcerated individuals can develop self-awareness and emotional literacy by taking responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
With the help of dedicated outside volunteers and skilled professionals who specialize in men’s group work, we host weekly gatherings and periodic weekend workshops. These provide a safe space for participants to delve into and resolve personal issues that have been holding them back from reaching their full potential as individuals.
By engaging with Freedom Within, our members embrace behavioral, emotional, and spiritual accountability for their lives, which enhances the collective awareness within the prison community, their families, and the broader society beyond the confines of the prison walls.
Freedom Within Project is a California incorporated Public Benefit Nonprofit Corporation with 501(c)(3) status.
Our Mission
Restoring wholeness to Individuals, families and communities impacted by incarceration through a path of compassion, insight & accountability.
WHAT WE DO
We supoort men in prisons statewide
Inside state prisons, Freedom Within hosts weekly discussion groups and intensive weekend trainings to help incarcerated individuals make positive changes.
This enables a shift in the prison culture, transforming it from a environment of violence and gang domination to one where individuals have the opportunity to cultivate self-awareness and emotional intelligence, taking responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
The impact of this work has a positive effect on participants, families, communities, and society as a whole
Our Partners
Trusted By Organizations and People like you
Freedom Within Project is a California incorporated Public Benefit Nonprofit Corporation with 501(c)(3) status.
Board
Board Members
Kirsten Pohlman
Chairwoman
Martin Marks
Secretary
Dave Klaus
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TEAM
Team Members
Malcolm Dydo
Executive Director
Jay Saber
Program Director
Marcel Manzardo
Web Design
Jane Doe
Volunteer
Clifford Neal
Volunteer
Sylvia Pogue
Volunteer
Daniel Cormier
Volunteer
Julia Long
Volunteer
Participants
From Our Program Participants
Matthew Sheppard
“Being able to express myself and get support from my brothers in the (group) has literally prevented me from doing harm to myself and others. It has also held me accountable for the choices that I make and has allowed me to maintain my integrity.”
David P.
"Freedom Within Project has enabled me to make an honest assessment of my life, given me the tools & guidance to affect positive change, and made me feel wholeness, gratitude, compassion, humility, joy and love. Thank you so much for making a difference in my life.”
Aaron "Money" Pennell
“I am sincerely grateful to all who participate and facilitate to make this group such an uplifting step on our road to recovering a sense of self-worth and rehabilitation.”
Dartagne "Blessed" Williams
"The strength that I have received from SVSP Inside Men's support group has been a light to my foggy mind.”
Derek "DeNice" Anderson
"I was constantly stumbling in life's life’s turmoil…”
Donald
"The men's circle has helped me fully understand that actions truly speak louder than words.”
