Daniel Grote
Donation protected
From Gwen Macsai:
Some of you may know that I have been friends with Dan for over five years. We have spoken in person, on the phone and through hundreds of letters and emails. Dan is far better read than I (he's read over 1000 books while in prison), funny, a great cook (we'll see as soon as he gets out!) and smart as all get out. He is a rabid public radio fan and loves a good Martha Stewart recipe. I like him so much I did a story about him -- see below. And I'm not the only one. He has been corresponding with a lot of well-known writers. Had he been born into a different time and place, I believe his life would be completely different than it is. But, life doesn't always work out that way. Now I am helping him make plans for his release in March. We are hoping to get him to California where he has a job waiting for him. But we are also trying to prepare for his return to Chicago. Since he gets released with a bus ticket and something like $40, that means shelter, clothes, food, transportation and employment. It takes a village! Anything you can do would be much appreciated and if you have anything else to give (employment, etc) feel free to contact me on facebook.
From Dan Grote:
Hello, my name is Dan and I am looking for a little help upon my release from federal prison later this year. I am on the tail end of an 84 month sentence for unarmed bank robbery. To say that I have made some bad decisions and poor choices in my life would be a tremendous understatement. I have paid my debt to society, and even though I have lost pretty much everyone and everything I may have once had, I am looking forward to a fresh start and another shot at doing something productive with my life.
Truth be told, coming to prison probably saved my life. The entire decade leading up to my incarceration was an uphill and often losing battle with substance abuse. For everything that incarceration has cost me, it came as a pleasant surprise that my being locked up allowed me to discover two talents I never knew I had. Teaching and writing. My job here is to tutor my fellow inmates in their G.E.D studies. I also teach various Adult Continuation Education (A.C.E.) classes. I enjoy this type of work and am very good at what I do. I am on track to be the first inmate in this institution to complete a 4,000 hour, US Department of Labor Teacher's Aide Apprenticeship program. I would very much like to put my teaching skills to use on the outside, perhaps working with some sort of nonprofit assisting special needs adults.
I have also discovered a talent for writing. To date, my work has appeared in almost two dozen different print and online publications. I have been featured on a segment of "re:sound", a National Public Radio program airing out of Chicago, IL (you can find that broadcast archived online at thirdcoastfestival.org, show #218, "Odd Couples" if you would care to listen.) And have recently started having some of my essays and letters read regularly on a nationally syndicated morning radio program.
As I said, I have lost everything and I am facing an almost 70% chance of falling victim to recidivism. I believe that I have a lot to give and I am seeking not only monetary assistance but any type of moral or material support that you may be willing to give. Thank you for your time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Dan Grote #22670-424
United States Penitentiary Canaan
PO Box 300
Waymart, PA 18472
Some of you may know that I have been friends with Dan for over five years. We have spoken in person, on the phone and through hundreds of letters and emails. Dan is far better read than I (he's read over 1000 books while in prison), funny, a great cook (we'll see as soon as he gets out!) and smart as all get out. He is a rabid public radio fan and loves a good Martha Stewart recipe. I like him so much I did a story about him -- see below. And I'm not the only one. He has been corresponding with a lot of well-known writers. Had he been born into a different time and place, I believe his life would be completely different than it is. But, life doesn't always work out that way. Now I am helping him make plans for his release in March. We are hoping to get him to California where he has a job waiting for him. But we are also trying to prepare for his return to Chicago. Since he gets released with a bus ticket and something like $40, that means shelter, clothes, food, transportation and employment. It takes a village! Anything you can do would be much appreciated and if you have anything else to give (employment, etc) feel free to contact me on facebook.
From Dan Grote:
Hello, my name is Dan and I am looking for a little help upon my release from federal prison later this year. I am on the tail end of an 84 month sentence for unarmed bank robbery. To say that I have made some bad decisions and poor choices in my life would be a tremendous understatement. I have paid my debt to society, and even though I have lost pretty much everyone and everything I may have once had, I am looking forward to a fresh start and another shot at doing something productive with my life.
Truth be told, coming to prison probably saved my life. The entire decade leading up to my incarceration was an uphill and often losing battle with substance abuse. For everything that incarceration has cost me, it came as a pleasant surprise that my being locked up allowed me to discover two talents I never knew I had. Teaching and writing. My job here is to tutor my fellow inmates in their G.E.D studies. I also teach various Adult Continuation Education (A.C.E.) classes. I enjoy this type of work and am very good at what I do. I am on track to be the first inmate in this institution to complete a 4,000 hour, US Department of Labor Teacher's Aide Apprenticeship program. I would very much like to put my teaching skills to use on the outside, perhaps working with some sort of nonprofit assisting special needs adults.
I have also discovered a talent for writing. To date, my work has appeared in almost two dozen different print and online publications. I have been featured on a segment of "re:sound", a National Public Radio program airing out of Chicago, IL (you can find that broadcast archived online at thirdcoastfestival.org, show #218, "Odd Couples" if you would care to listen.) And have recently started having some of my essays and letters read regularly on a nationally syndicated morning radio program.
As I said, I have lost everything and I am facing an almost 70% chance of falling victim to recidivism. I believe that I have a lot to give and I am seeking not only monetary assistance but any type of moral or material support that you may be willing to give. Thank you for your time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Dan Grote #22670-424
United States Penitentiary Canaan
PO Box 300
Waymart, PA 18472
Organizer
Gwen Macsai
Organizer
Evanston, IL