Clepto LA Gang Member
IT'S A GOOD THING
Counselor for LA Probation
Camp Superviser LA Probation
You can post all kinds of words to try and share the program benefits. But nothing defines a result better than the words of a participant.
Their faces and identities are protected because these are minors. We were given permission by the camp director to record only for promotional purposes.
The Back Story:
While offering supplemental programming with LA Probation, Tom worked with the 707B offenders at Challenger Memorial Youth Center.
Tom’s casework involved the application of innovative Stress Management and Rehabilitative training using Meditation and Breathwork.
The Gang members Tom worked with complained that the program Prison SMART name was associated with Prisons. So Tom allowed the kids to change the program title to Street Lights.
One Gang member, Ghost, said, “We can be beacons of light and hope on the street if we can share this with the homies.”
I told them that one day, you could take parts of this class and play it on a computer for them. Now we have computers in our pockets.
So that was the birth of StreetLights 2.0 Click to buy Program
Who can benefit from the program:
Street Lights is not limited to criminals. We all can be prisoners of our thoughts. The invitation goes out to all of society. If it works in jail, you know it can work in daily life. Street Lights program can benefit anyone by providing tools, resources, and support to help them identify and overcome personal challenges, build self-esteem, develop new skills, and achieve personal growth.
Program content:
Participants are taught powerful breathing practices that calm the mind and expand the lung capacity. You will learn the material and be able to download a guided MP3 practice to support long-term success
Click to buy Program
After many years working with young adults and adolescents in detention and at-risk, Tom established Prison SMART Foundation in 1995 to start the US program. In 2004 as the program grew it transitioned under the International Association for Human Values and is now in 108 countries. Prison SMART assists individuals to achieve their true potential. Tom has trained over 25 instructors and 5000 at-risk individuals. Through his work as the founder of a national nonprofit, his efforts and his team of 25 taught anger and stress management skills to over 20,000 inmates.
In 2008 Tom lost his wife to cancer and had to take time to heal. This was also a time when Prison SMART grew too large for him to manage, Tom negotiated a transfer of the program to the International Association for Human Values, and they took the program international. Tom is currently working with veterans and as an individual consultant with people seeking change. Street Lights is a shift that offers support to correctional staff by providing them with a program they can access on their devices, allowing them to assist in facilitating true change from within the facility. With the effects of contraband and COVID, online programming is very effective in assisting correctional staff in doing their job.
Experience
- 1991-2008: Prison SMART Foundation; Executive Director
- 1992-1996: Unitarian Universalist Church; Para-ministry Big Brother Mentor Program
- 1998-1999: Hawaii Department of Public Safety; Stress Management/Cognitive Skills Program
- 1999-2000: Columbine High School; Stress Management Craig Hospital Spinal Trauma Unit
- 2000-2004: LA Probation; Anger Management Specialist working with 707B offenders.
Guest Speaker and Consulting Work:
- National Crime Prevention Association
- America’s Youth Crime Watch
- American Jail Association
- Denver Sheriff’s Academy
- Boulder County Jail
- FCI Englewood
- Broward County Sheriff’s Department
- Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department
- LA Probation Anger Management Specialist Working with 707B Offenders (Bill Richardson) VAP Program.
- Hawaii Department of Corrections
- South African Government, Botswana, Malawi
- International Association of Human Values
- Plano Texas Probation
- Lorton Max with Dr Peter Roamer.
- Stress Management Team at Columbine High School worked with the spinal injury ward at Craig Hospital
- Grants New Mexico Women’s Correctional Facility
Education:
- 1984-1985 – Relationships, Inc. Training
- 1989 -1990 – Boston University/Cape Cod Community College – Adolescent Psychology
- 1992 – Art of Living Teacher Training Course – Bangalore India, — Iowa State University
- 2000-2008 Trained by Bill Richardson in case work management and juvenile correction strategies.
Specialization:
Life and Business Strategies, Meditation, BreathWork, Mindfulness Workshop Structures, Stress & Anger Management Specialist.
Awards and Commendations:
Outstanding Service Award to America’s Youth – Cape and Islands Youth Congress
E-Achievement Award from E-Town – Given to people that have done inspiring work, that benefits the community.
Contact Information:
(970) 528-0673
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