Graterford Inmates Give Paychecks To Scholarships

State Rep. Ronald G. Waters (D-W. Phila.) recently presented two scholarships on behalf of Graterford Prison inmates to needy students. The scholarships were funded by the inmates entirely from their salaries, which average 18 cents an hour.

The offenders gave up their entire pay to put together two $500 scholarships for William Sanchez and Joshua Solivan, and recognized the two Northeast MS students for their hard work to turn their lives around.

The inmates involved belong to either the Latin American Cultural Exchange Organization Art or the Outreach & United Community Action Network. Inmate members of both groups work to better themselves and repay their debt to society.

“Imagine giving up your entire paycheck – what you need to eat a snack or even just to buy soap with – and giving it to students who you don’t want to make the same life mistakes you did,” Waters said. “This scholarship is one of truly giving back, and I applaud the offenders at Graterford for their hard work to bestow it.

“It was also a pleasure to work with State Rep. Steve Samuelson, who represents the middle school. Rep. Samuelson is dedicated to ensuring our public schools are properly funded and their students receive opportunities to grow.”

\The men at Graterford were motivated by the influx of so many young Latino and African American young men coming into the prison and they wanted to help to stop this terrible trend. “These two young men represent stories of hope and redemption – just as the stories of the men at the Graterford facility who are working to turn their lives around and do the right thing,” Waters said.

The members of LACEO and U-CAN recognized the students for their hard work to change and better themselves. To ensure the money goes right to the student’s education, the scholarship funds are to be placed in the student’s account at the college so that they can withdraw from it for books and materials for school. Waters said LACEO and U-CAN want to specifically recognize the Bethlehem School District for being the only district who responded to the scholarship offer.

The Graterford prisoners do this outreach to teach students about the dangers on the street which may lead to incarceration.

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