My name is Lewis A. Greene. I’m 60 years old and am originally from Humbolt County. I attended high school in Fortuna. I spent much of my youth living in different towns near the Redwoods, Avenue of the Giants, and Redcrest.
I came to San Francisco in 2024. I was released from prison after having served 26 years. I now live on Taylor Street, here in the Tenderloin. I was incarcerated for several things having to do with self-defense, gun charges, attempted murder, those kinds of behavior. I received a double-life sentence.
I was finally paroled from San Quentin. I’ve been out less than 60 days. While I was in prison, I sent out bunches of letters to various organizations in and near the Tenderloin, requesting assistance for when I might get released.
Angela Coleman of GLIDE’s Walk-In-Center responded to me and wanted to know how GLIDE could help me upon my release. “Many times, I receive letters from inmates throughout California wanting to know how GLIDE might be able to assist them with their release and what resources or services we offer,” said Angela.
Angela shared more of her story. “I spent 22 months at the California Institution for Women. Then I spent a year in the SF County jail before I finally spent a year at Walden House. I served for four years on San Francisco’s Reentry Council. And our purpose was to help people get out of prison. As a prior inmate myself, I empathize with folks like Lewis, who have done time and know what it’s like when trying to re-integrate yourself back into society,” added Angela.
Thanks to Angela’s response to my outreach, I was able to secure release from the parole board.
Once I was out of San Quentin, I was able to secure shelter for myself at a halfway house here in the Tenderloin. But I told Angela how much I appreciated her reaching out to me in response to my letter.
Her letter helped me get out of prison. It made a difference. It helped to correct an injustice. My hope now is to eventually work for an outfit like Urban Alchemy.
But I came to GLIDE so I could experience the GLIDE community, and of course, eat one of the most delicious meals I’ve had in 26 years!
This was more than I could have expected.
And I wanted to let other folks know that it really can get worse, especially when you’re living out on the streets. And a place like GLIDE is such a tremendous resource and there is help here for those who need it.
I have a direction for myself now, and it will include volunteering at GLIDE. But honestly, the letter that Angela sent me was so welcoming. It touched my heart.