Our very own Get On The Bus regional coordinators Cece and Theresa had the opportunity to lead evaluation for the dads who participated in this year's event. In summary, Sr. Theresa said that one man stood up and said, "In here we have two things to look forward to in this place: 1. getting out and 2. Get On The Bus."
I wanted to share an e-mail reflection from Cece about the day and a poem from the men:
Hi everyone,
Yesterday we went in to CMC to do an evaluation with the dads. It was a beautiful day with lots of emotion... tears and laughter! I think it is one of the most powerful days in my own life each year: to listen to the dads and see that they all have hope is really moving.
They were so appreciative to all of you. On the west side, two of the men did a rap song about Get On The Bus to thank us. It was so cool!!!!!! We are hoping to record it this summer and have it be a part of the media used inside the prison to promote GOTB. On the east side, they gave us a huge card (up to my waist) that they had made to thank us for all that we have done. The front has caricatures of the dads inside the prison, holding a banner that says "Because of you",with the officer at the guard tower asleep and when you open up the tri fold card the dad's are all with their families with Get On The Bus shirts. The banner that they are holding says "Dreams do happen, thank you". They all have huge smiles and there is a poem, it says:
"We must give thanks to Get on the Bus,
Cause they bring our children to us.
When we could see them no other way,
Their services are there to save the day,
It gives us a chance to feel like a dad,
And it's the best Father's Day we ever had.
Yes, we are in prison and away from our kids,
And having to keep our true feelings hid.
But on this special day we are not alone,
For we can see our kids even if they are grown.
We are with them as they laugh and play,
Cherishing every word they have to say.
It's furnished tons at no cost,
Giving back the family we have temporarily lost.
So thank you deeply Get On The Bus,
We will never forget the day you brought our children to us... "
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thank you to everyone...
Yesterday was the final installment of our Father's Day events for Get On The Bus this year. We had events at three men's prisons: Correctional Training Facility (CTF) and Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad (SVSP) and California State Prison in Solano (CSP). I had the great opportunity to be on the ground at both the CTF and SVSP events, which were truly amazing. The families and the men were so grateful, both staffs were incredible and the volunteers were so dedicated. I can't tell you how wonderful the day was for me. No one could write that good of a script, except for maybe Joe ;p.
It is impossible to capture all the stories of the day; however, I want to highlight two very different reunions that happened almost simultaneously at CTF and SVSP. I could hardly sleep the night before Get On The Bus because I was filled with excitement knowing that these two reunions were about to occur.
The first is the happy ending for Genisse. This is the woman who I wrote about on 1/23/10 who had been searching for her father Gregory for 30 years. With lots of coordination and help from our wonderful Northern California bus coordinators Cathy and John, Genisse flew in to California the morning of Get On The Bus to meet her dad for the first time. She had never traveled anywhere by herself. She arrived at 2:45 am to her hotel in San Francisco, which she wasn't scheduled to check into until after the event. Without any sleep and no room, the hotel clerk asked her what she was doing in San Francisco up at that hour of the morning. She told him her story and he immediately made arrangements to get her a room so that she could take a quick shower before she met the bus.
I got a chance to meet both Genisse and her father in person and what she said in the interview is very true: Not only do they look alike, but for two people who haven't spent any time together, their mannerisms are uncanny. When I walked into the visiting room, I immediately gravitated toward them. It is hard to explain but they both have this very warm, gentle spirit about them and they are always smiling. As soon as Jennifer and I walked up to their table, they seemed to know who we were and we seemed to know who they were without even having to introduce ourselves.
I can honestly say, I have never seen two people happier to be together than the two of them. Genisse was smiling ear-to-ear and her father could not stop holding onto her. Gregory then told me with tears in his eyes, "I can not express his gratitude for what has been done today to bring his Genisse to me. The kindness that has been expressed to my family through you and Jennifer and the volunteers is incredible. To go so far to say that you made my day is not enough. You truly made my life and you both have become my part of my family."
Jennifer and I had to hold back our own tears as we were clearly touched by this reunion. Below is the photo we took with Genisse and Gregory.
The second was the story of a little boy who was visiting his father at SVSP for the first time in 3 years. This story and the photos are care of Karen Plante and Kelly Garrison. I was so moved by this photo sequence that I had to share them.
Since he has been 2 years old he has only been able to see his dad only behind a glass partition with a phone. This is the first time he has gotten to see and hug his daddy since he was two. He had a calendar at home and was crossing off the days until this trip.
It is impossible to capture all the stories of the day; however, I want to highlight two very different reunions that happened almost simultaneously at CTF and SVSP. I could hardly sleep the night before Get On The Bus because I was filled with excitement knowing that these two reunions were about to occur.
The first is the happy ending for Genisse. This is the woman who I wrote about on 1/23/10 who had been searching for her father Gregory for 30 years. With lots of coordination and help from our wonderful Northern California bus coordinators Cathy and John, Genisse flew in to California the morning of Get On The Bus to meet her dad for the first time. She had never traveled anywhere by herself. She arrived at 2:45 am to her hotel in San Francisco, which she wasn't scheduled to check into until after the event. Without any sleep and no room, the hotel clerk asked her what she was doing in San Francisco up at that hour of the morning. She told him her story and he immediately made arrangements to get her a room so that she could take a quick shower before she met the bus.
I got a chance to meet both Genisse and her father in person and what she said in the interview is very true: Not only do they look alike, but for two people who haven't spent any time together, their mannerisms are uncanny. When I walked into the visiting room, I immediately gravitated toward them. It is hard to explain but they both have this very warm, gentle spirit about them and they are always smiling. As soon as Jennifer and I walked up to their table, they seemed to know who we were and we seemed to know who they were without even having to introduce ourselves.
I can honestly say, I have never seen two people happier to be together than the two of them. Genisse was smiling ear-to-ear and her father could not stop holding onto her. Gregory then told me with tears in his eyes, "I can not express his gratitude for what has been done today to bring his Genisse to me. The kindness that has been expressed to my family through you and Jennifer and the volunteers is incredible. To go so far to say that you made my day is not enough. You truly made my life and you both have become my part of my family."
Jennifer and I had to hold back our own tears as we were clearly touched by this reunion. Below is the photo we took with Genisse and Gregory.
Since he has been 2 years old he has only been able to see his dad only behind a glass partition with a phone. This is the first time he has gotten to see and hug his daddy since he was two. He had a calendar at home and was crossing off the days until this trip.
Here he is waiting for dad so excited!
Dad sneaks up on son for first hug. His grandma is so happy for them!
After so many years, this boy can finally jump into his dads arms.
They each made each other a crown during their visit. The dad said he didn't care how goofy he looked he was wearing it all day.
The goodbyes are always so hard.
I just want to say thank you again to all of you who have supported me and my journey at Get On The Bus. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have been your leader. You have no idea how much this has changed the fabric of my being. I want to wish all of the dads out there a very happy Father's Day, especially my own dad. Dad, you are an amazing person and I am so blessed to be your daughter. I love you so much and I thank you for everything you've done for me. Happy Father's Day!!!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Say it ain't so...
So yesterday was Father's Day the sequel at California Men's Colony (CMC) in SLO. I'm not going to lie, this week prepping for the event was a bit trying. Not only was I extremely exhausted from all the events that we have had nonstop from Mother's Day until now, but this weekend at CMC was actually a bigger event both in buses and in people.
After putting out all the last minute fires I could, I woke up on Friday, the day before the trip, and I just felt spent. When I am tired before an event, for some reason I do more work so I decided to study the participant list for the weekend. As I scrolled the list, I noticed a very familar name to me. My dear friend Stella *, who I wrote about on 2/13/10 and the two boys were on the list. Miraculously, the word "Approved" followed her name. I couldn't believe it. After two years of phone conversations, Stella * and I might actually meet.
I couldn't hold in my excitement so I had to pay Stella * a call. In honor of her infamous voice mails, where she updates me on every little detail of her life since we talked last, I decided to leave her this one, "Stella * Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Memorial Day, I've missed you. Sorry we haven't been in contact lately. GOTB has taken me all around the state trying to make sure that as many families as possible get to see their loved ones. On that note, as I was getting ready for this weekend's event, I noticed your name with the prison's seal of approval and I wanted to call to make sure that you know what this means... Not only are you going to get to go in and spend time with your loved one, but you get the opportunity to meet your "Original Holy Hook-Up". (This was the knickname she gave me after I found a way to make it possible for the boys to visit their dad on last year's event.)
Not even five minutes went by and my phone rang. I picked it up only to hear the most joyous laughter on the other end and without even having to ask I knew who it was and I joined in the chorus. For those of you who know me, I am a contagious laugher, but Stella * gave me a run for my money. Then the most interesting thing happened. Her joy turned into tears. She told me that she was so excited to have an opportunity to meet her Original Holy Hook-Up. She then asked me a question, "Maria, I know that GOTB supplies a family photo for each child and their dad, but what about GOTB supplying photos with other members of their family? I am going to need a photo with you and Karen (my colleague) because the two of you are a part of my family and I truly feel blessed and loved for all that you do for me."
Yesterday as Bus CMC-05 pulled up to the East gate where I was standing, Stella *, who was on crutches was the first person off the bus. She and I looked at one another and instantly we knew. All I could say is, "Say it ain't so." Her response, "Is that my Original Holy Hook-Up?" We embraced one another and hugged the stuffing out of each other.
When I finally got into the visiting room, I went over to her family and I introduced her to mine because Joe was there. In true Stella * form, she told Joe how important GOTB and I have been for her and what a valuable resource my name has been whenever she needs a little clout in life. We laughed and I said, "Okay Stella * time to go outside." Her response, "What did I do now?" I said, "Nothing yet, but give it time because family members have a tendency to get on one another's nerves every now and again." She smiled and said, "Wow, you didn't forget, is it time to get our photo?" And with that, we got our first family photo.
Two Father's Day weekends down, one to go. What a blessing!!
After putting out all the last minute fires I could, I woke up on Friday, the day before the trip, and I just felt spent. When I am tired before an event, for some reason I do more work so I decided to study the participant list for the weekend. As I scrolled the list, I noticed a very familar name to me. My dear friend Stella *, who I wrote about on 2/13/10 and the two boys were on the list. Miraculously, the word "Approved" followed her name. I couldn't believe it. After two years of phone conversations, Stella * and I might actually meet.
I couldn't hold in my excitement so I had to pay Stella * a call. In honor of her infamous voice mails, where she updates me on every little detail of her life since we talked last, I decided to leave her this one, "Stella * Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Memorial Day, I've missed you. Sorry we haven't been in contact lately. GOTB has taken me all around the state trying to make sure that as many families as possible get to see their loved ones. On that note, as I was getting ready for this weekend's event, I noticed your name with the prison's seal of approval and I wanted to call to make sure that you know what this means... Not only are you going to get to go in and spend time with your loved one, but you get the opportunity to meet your "Original Holy Hook-Up". (This was the knickname she gave me after I found a way to make it possible for the boys to visit their dad on last year's event.)
Not even five minutes went by and my phone rang. I picked it up only to hear the most joyous laughter on the other end and without even having to ask I knew who it was and I joined in the chorus. For those of you who know me, I am a contagious laugher, but Stella * gave me a run for my money. Then the most interesting thing happened. Her joy turned into tears. She told me that she was so excited to have an opportunity to meet her Original Holy Hook-Up. She then asked me a question, "Maria, I know that GOTB supplies a family photo for each child and their dad, but what about GOTB supplying photos with other members of their family? I am going to need a photo with you and Karen (my colleague) because the two of you are a part of my family and I truly feel blessed and loved for all that you do for me."
Yesterday as Bus CMC-05 pulled up to the East gate where I was standing, Stella *, who was on crutches was the first person off the bus. She and I looked at one another and instantly we knew. All I could say is, "Say it ain't so." Her response, "Is that my Original Holy Hook-Up?" We embraced one another and hugged the stuffing out of each other.
When I finally got into the visiting room, I went over to her family and I introduced her to mine because Joe was there. In true Stella * form, she told Joe how important GOTB and I have been for her and what a valuable resource my name has been whenever she needs a little clout in life. We laughed and I said, "Okay Stella * time to go outside." Her response, "What did I do now?" I said, "Nothing yet, but give it time because family members have a tendency to get on one another's nerves every now and again." She smiled and said, "Wow, you didn't forget, is it time to get our photo?" And with that, we got our first family photo.
Two Father's Day weekends down, one to go. What a blessing!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"We don't have much, but we have family."
Yesterday was the first of the three part series of our Father's Day trips. We united 258 people (children, adult children and their caregivers) to see their fathers at California Men's Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo CA. As all of you probably know by now, Get On The Bus requires a ton of preparation work. Almost right after we complete our trips, we start to plan for the next year and each year, we are getting bigger and bigger. Just thinking about all the logistics with the buses, the prisons, the volunteers, the families, the food, etc. makes me even more tired than I am already.
The beauty of all of this is that it comes together to be a very special and sacred day for the families and I am lucky enough to witness it...
The morning of event day is always a little crazy coordinating all the last minute details making sure that we know which families didn't arrive so that we can communicate that info with the prison who then communicates it with the men, making sure buses arrive to pick the families up, which they all did yesterday :) (Thanks to the Bus Company and Frank Gonzalez for an amazing job!!), and making sure that the families have all the right documents and apparel to gain entrance to the prison. I have to say that the process yesterday was incredibly seamless and by 10 am everyone on the West side of the prison was inside visiting, which meant that I had a little space to breathe.
When I go inside the prison on event day, I become my father's daughter. For those of you who know my dad, one of his staples at the Primadonna was that he was completely committed to his customers. He loved walking the dining room and talking to every person asking them how everything was going with their meal. I do this same exact thing on event day. On little sleep and food, interacting with the families becomes my fuel for the day.
As I walked around the outside tables at West shaking everyone's hand, I couldn't help but notice the jubilant laughter coming from one of the last tables. As I got closer, I noticed that there was a large family which consisted of the dad, his four children, and two other adult women engaged deeply in conversation. I almost decided to pass the table and come back not wanting to interrupt them in the moment. However, after 20 minutes of greeting other tables went by, I realized that this wasn't just a moment, it was who they were.
As I walked up to their table, they stole my thunder as Chris, the dad, said, "Everyone this is Maria. She makes it possible for all the kids to come here today." His mother, who was around my own grandmother's age, shook my hand and offered her heartfelt thanks for everything that Get On The Bus has provided to her grandchildren and to Chris. His wife who was busy feeding their youngest son his pizza gave me the most heartfelt smile as a tear ran down her face. His three daughters who ranged in age from 14-5 yrs. old stood up just hugged the stuffing out of me.
Chris then pulled up an extra seat for me and asked me to join his family. The stories that they were telling reminded me of being around my own dining room table with my family. Everyone was louder than the other person and they lived for the memories that they shared together. After about 15 minutes of this, I asked Chris if he was sure that he didn't have any Italian relatives out there in the universe because his family reminded me so much of mine. His response was that they were "Mexican, the West Coast Italian." Everyone roared with laughter.
After many conversations and a bubble fight with the two youngest girls, I got up to say my goodbyes. Chris summed the Get On The Bus day for me by saying, "Maria, we don't have much; however, we have something that not many other people do on the face of this planet: We have our family. You and Get On The Bus allow these precious visits for us and for that we blessed. We all want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Everyone stood up again and hugs were exchanged. Before I turned away, the youngest little girl who was missing her two front teeth told me that she wanted to ask me a secret. She said Maria, "Do you think I can bring my dad home with me on the bus for show and tell?"
At that, my heart sank. It is so easy to see the joys of the Get On The Bus day, but it is important to also recognize the sorrows. Here in California, we are in a budget crisis. We are cutting teachers, closing schools and hospitals, but we are also building 10 new prisons. In the United States, we are incarcerating more individuals than any other nation on the planet. We have an economy that is crumbling to the ground and we all wonder why the world bears such sadness? Before you go to sleep tonight, I invite you to think about the children. Think about your children, the children closest to you, or your own inner child. Then think about the GOTB children and ask yourself, "What about these children where is their voice?"
The beauty of all of this is that it comes together to be a very special and sacred day for the families and I am lucky enough to witness it...
The morning of event day is always a little crazy coordinating all the last minute details making sure that we know which families didn't arrive so that we can communicate that info with the prison who then communicates it with the men, making sure buses arrive to pick the families up, which they all did yesterday :) (Thanks to the Bus Company and Frank Gonzalez for an amazing job!!), and making sure that the families have all the right documents and apparel to gain entrance to the prison. I have to say that the process yesterday was incredibly seamless and by 10 am everyone on the West side of the prison was inside visiting, which meant that I had a little space to breathe.
When I go inside the prison on event day, I become my father's daughter. For those of you who know my dad, one of his staples at the Primadonna was that he was completely committed to his customers. He loved walking the dining room and talking to every person asking them how everything was going with their meal. I do this same exact thing on event day. On little sleep and food, interacting with the families becomes my fuel for the day.
As I walked around the outside tables at West shaking everyone's hand, I couldn't help but notice the jubilant laughter coming from one of the last tables. As I got closer, I noticed that there was a large family which consisted of the dad, his four children, and two other adult women engaged deeply in conversation. I almost decided to pass the table and come back not wanting to interrupt them in the moment. However, after 20 minutes of greeting other tables went by, I realized that this wasn't just a moment, it was who they were.
As I walked up to their table, they stole my thunder as Chris, the dad, said, "Everyone this is Maria. She makes it possible for all the kids to come here today." His mother, who was around my own grandmother's age, shook my hand and offered her heartfelt thanks for everything that Get On The Bus has provided to her grandchildren and to Chris. His wife who was busy feeding their youngest son his pizza gave me the most heartfelt smile as a tear ran down her face. His three daughters who ranged in age from 14-5 yrs. old stood up just hugged the stuffing out of me.
Chris then pulled up an extra seat for me and asked me to join his family. The stories that they were telling reminded me of being around my own dining room table with my family. Everyone was louder than the other person and they lived for the memories that they shared together. After about 15 minutes of this, I asked Chris if he was sure that he didn't have any Italian relatives out there in the universe because his family reminded me so much of mine. His response was that they were "Mexican, the West Coast Italian." Everyone roared with laughter.
After many conversations and a bubble fight with the two youngest girls, I got up to say my goodbyes. Chris summed the Get On The Bus day for me by saying, "Maria, we don't have much; however, we have something that not many other people do on the face of this planet: We have our family. You and Get On The Bus allow these precious visits for us and for that we blessed. We all want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Everyone stood up again and hugs were exchanged. Before I turned away, the youngest little girl who was missing her two front teeth told me that she wanted to ask me a secret. She said Maria, "Do you think I can bring my dad home with me on the bus for show and tell?"
At that, my heart sank. It is so easy to see the joys of the Get On The Bus day, but it is important to also recognize the sorrows. Here in California, we are in a budget crisis. We are cutting teachers, closing schools and hospitals, but we are also building 10 new prisons. In the United States, we are incarcerating more individuals than any other nation on the planet. We have an economy that is crumbling to the ground and we all wonder why the world bears such sadness? Before you go to sleep tonight, I invite you to think about the children. Think about your children, the children closest to you, or your own inner child. Then think about the GOTB children and ask yourself, "What about these children where is their voice?"
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