The mother longs to talk to her daughter, comfort her, and tell her she is not alone. But she has neither the money nor the skills to arrange even a simple phone call. All she asks for is a small touch of light. A young man walks through the gates after serving seven years in prison. With nothing but $40 and a bus ticket, he starts off to make a new and better life. Without a job, a home, family o
r friends, he is still determined to make his second chance work. He just needs a touch of light to find his way. A woman and her children struggle to make it through while their father pays his debts to society in prison hundreds of miles away. Barely able to make ends meet, finding the means to visit even once a year is nearly impossible. All they need is a touch of light. Stories like these are played out millions of times in homes and prisons around the world every day. Tens of millions of men, women and children suffer from the devastating consequences of burgeoning prison populations; whose residents are given fewer rights and dignity than we award even the most common animals. We are a dedicated group of people from around the world who believe in the worth of the human soul and the power of second chances. We come from all walks of life and are not limited by race, creed, color, gender or religion. Some of us are prisoners. Some are ex-felons. Some are the family and friends of prisoners. Yet others are merely concerned members of the human family, trying to make a difference. But together… together we become A Touch of Light, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the strength, support and services needed to help prisoners and their loved ones build a healthy, happy and safe tomorrow. We do not condone or glamorize what brings a person to prison. We are not involved in legal proceedings, nor do we give legal advice. We do not advocate a single belief or religion. We are committed to providing simple, practical tools that pro-actively help prisoners who are sincerely interested in a second chance. Today we need your help. Our goal is universal. Our challenge is monumental. Bringing A Touch of Light to life will take the help and support of a global community. How can you make a difference? There are many ways. Naturally, your financial donation is critical. Every little bit helps.
• Your $5 donation can ensure a small child gets a birthday card from his or her imprisoned parent.
• Just $10 can help a grieving mother talk to her imprisoned child on the phone.
• $25 could make it possible for loved ones to visit from far away. And the combined donations of thousands can accomplish so much more. Your donation will be used to establish A Touch of Light, as well as Second Chance Industries and other businesses designed to provide job skills training, re-entry resources, employment opportunities for ex-felons, and perpetual fundraising avenues for the Foundation. One such business is La Pintura Gallaries de Arte, a Second Chance Industries Company (SCI). There is perhaps no more poignant expression of the power and beauty of the human spirit than the art that emerges from the darkest corners of humanity. From a pit in India to a cave in Afghanistan to a dimly lit cell in Southern Georgia, prisoners cling to hope by creating something beautiful. Exquisite paintings, sketches, sculptures and music are born in captivity every day. Through La Pintura Gallaries de Arte, a Second Chance Industries Company (SCI), we will create a showcase for these captive artists. Working initially from a virtual showroom online, La Pintura Gallaries de Arte will create greeting cards, calendars, prints, posters and quality framed originals for display and sale to a worldwide market. This artwork was born of the spirit of one prisoner trying to find light in his darkness. By sharing it with the world, that same work of art can touch the hearts and souls of millions more. And since La Pintura Gallaries de Arte is a Second Chance Industries Company, a large portion of the proceeds goes directly to A Touch of Light, lighting the lives of millions of prisoners and their loved ones in more practical ways. Quality artwork created by prisoners can be purchased and sent worldwide, with the proceeds used on behalf of prisoners through A Touch of Light. Whether you can give $5 or $500, you can give with confidence that 100% of your donation will be used to build A Touch of Light, its supporting businesses, and to provide practical and pragmatic support for prisoners and their loved ones around the world. We understand that not everyone can give financially. There is still so much you can do. We need volunteers to provide:
• Research assistance
• Internet marketing
• Mentoring
• Practical assistance working with government agencies
We need volunteer professional services, including:
• Web design and management
• Accounting
• Database engineering
• Foreign language translation
• Grant research
If you can give just a few hours a week, you can make a lifetime of difference in the lives of millions who are seeking a second chance. If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact us here or via e-mail at [email protected]. Please add us to your friends list so you can watch us grow and tell us how we’re doing. “Like us” and tell your friends about us. Ask them to do the same. Whether you donate your time or money, or just simply spread the word, you are helping to shed a Touch of Light on an otherwise dark and lonely world. Together we will make a difference. Sincerely,
Richard Dunn
Smokey Fernandez
B.L. Lane
Daniel Shea
