San Quentin Prison Program

At Love Does, we recognize that today’s incarcerated is tomorrow’s neighbor. We have the privilege of partnering with San Quentin State Prison where we have offered classes, resources, programming, and educational scholarships to the incarcerated population. Throughout our time with hundreds of incarcerated at San Quentin, they have been, and continue to be, encouraged, instructed, and spurred to dream big as they relearn who they are and what hope feels like. In fact, the incarcerated have dreams so big that they will positively impact lives of those outside of prison. A few of our alumni from our program have been released from San Quentin and are now making dramatic impacts in the lives of many people because of the hope instilled through the love they experienced during our time shared together. Love Does hosts annual Dream Big and StoryTeller’s workshops with curriculum geared towards walking alongside 50 incarcerated men by accomplishing their dreams or becoming experts at sharing their stories.

Love Does is dedicated to helping the incarcerated at San Quentin accomplish their academic goals through the Love Does Educational Scholarship Program (LDESP). According to statistics, less than 5% of the adult incarcerated population in the United States has a college level degree. Education in prison instills hope within these men all the while equipping them for the positive future that they are working towards. This program makes it possible for these men to earn their desired degree fully funded by this awarded scholarship and in turn reduces recidivism rates.

Love Does seeks to provide the incarcerated population enrolled in our Dream Big Program with an opportunity to receive funding in order to put their love into action. The Love Does Dream Tank aims to empower the incarcerated to brainstorm, plan, implement a dream, goal, or program inside San Quentin Prison that would positively impact their fellow incarcerated, staff, and/or people outside of prison. We hope that this program inspires the incarcerated as they prepare to make loving strides outside the prison walls. We seek to remind the incarcerated that their ability to have an impact on the world is not limited because they are incarcerated.

Love Does has been able to provide the incarcerated men of our programs at San Quentin the opportunity to send Christmas gifts to their children, family, and loved ones on their behalf. Behind most of the incarcerated men of our Dream Big classes are innocent family members and kids. Love Does sends Christmas presents on behalf of our class members, hoping to communicate to family members that they are not forgotten, cared for, and loved.