Whats Happening at SATF D Facility

First, let me say this clearly. Without the support of a very special captain, the D Facility would likely be full of mischief makers rather than change makers. When I first connected with this captain by email and later met with him over video, I found him to be remarkable in every sense. He is a human being doing an extraordinarily difficult job in one of the harshest environments inside the largest prison complex in California.

What makes him remarkable is the way he moves with his own rhythm. He offers support, creates opportunity, and sees potential where others see problems. He believes deeply that everyone deserves a chance to heal and make amends. And even as some of his peers label him "too helpful," he continues to hold a vision grounded in compassion and empathy.

How It Began

Some stories begin with careful planning. Ours did not. Ours began with a Facebook post, a quiet call for help, and an unexpected spark that grew into something larger than all of us.

It started when Richard Lopez’s wife shared a simple message online. She was looking for a program that could reach the young men in her husband's community and offer something real. I rarely respond to messages on Facebook. It is not where I search for opportunities or where I usually connect.

But this time, something struck me deep in my bones. It felt like a summons. So I reached out.

From that single message, a chain reaction began.

Richard stepped forward with heart, strength, and vision. He carried a conviction that healing is possible and that guidance can become mentorship. He set the tone for what our work could grow into. Today his leadership stands at the center of a team that continues to expand and evolve.

What began as a question online has now grown into a living force inside the Youth Diversion Program. We now stand with twelve dedicated facilitators, a group we proudly call the Driven Dozen, working hands-on with twenty-six young offenders. These young men are beginning the R.I.S.E. ten-part journey that launched in November 2025. We are at the very beginning of their transformation, and we look forward to sharing their growth as it unfolds.

Let this moment serve as a clear message to our community and to society. The future of the next generation is our shared responsibility. It is on all of us to guide those who come after us and to show the ones we failed that trauma and pain can be transformed into triumph and power. Change is not accidental. Change is built when people choose to step in, step up, and believe in someone the world has dismissed.

Some stories begin with a plan. Ours began with a post, a calling, and a spark.

The magic began there, and it continues to grow.

MEET THE TEAM

MENTORS

Richard Lopez, Mario Carrillo, Pablo Izquierdo, Raymond Vasquez, Bashar Aremu, Devin Lujan, Shaun Cardarelli, Ismael Saldivar, Carlton Schuster, Jeffery Frederick, Peter Sierra

MENTEES

Ramsey Kahlid, Barion Walkins, Jaden Pruet, Ravon Friend, Jimmie Foster, Scott Tayshon, Jacob Bustamontez, Daniel Lugo, Joseph Jimenez, Mark Milner, Moses McGuire, Parrish Stinson, Willie Gregory, Carlos Zepeda, Kejuan Moore, Saul Nava, Byran Mancilla, Dylan Baker, Isaiah Mullen, Victor Rivera, Arturo Lezama, Jason Cornejo, Clemente Chavez

EVERYONE

Behind every set of state-issued blues lies a story, unique to every individual....

What do you see when you look at the pictures above?
A prisoner?
The worst of the worst?
A criminal who deserves harsh treatment and to be forgotten by society?

Perhaps.
Or perhaps that view reflects limited awareness and a lack of context.

I want to share what I see when I look at every one of these faces.

I see a community in motion.
Men who show up consistently, lean into uncomfortable conversations, and commit to doing the inner work that most people spend a lifetime avoiding.

These men are not passive participants. They are actively engaging in the R.I.S.E. curriculum. They reflect, question, challenge themselves, and hold one another accountable. They sit in circle. They listen. They speak honestly about emotions they were never taught to name. They practice new ways of responding instead of reacting.

I see mentors sharing hard-earned wisdom with the younger generation.
Men who care deeply enough to divert young men from repeating the same mistakes.
Men who understand that leadership is not about authority, but about responsibility.

I see men teaching other men how to feel their feelings.
Giving permission to be awkward when asking for help.
Modeling what emotional maturity looks like in real time.
Demonstrating accountability through action, not words.
And showing what redemption, humility, and service can build when given space to grow.

This is what transformation looks like on D Yard.

Not perfection.
Presence.
Practice.
And people choosing to do better, together.

Keep up the excellent work, D Yard.