San Rafael, CA – More than 90 percent of convicted felons in Marin County courtrooms are offered a grant of probation as part of their sentence, and many follow up by becoming law-abiding residents and renewing personal commitments with help from the Marin County Probation Department.
Wall of Change honoree Alfred Carr talks during last year's Wall of Change event about turning his life around.
The department’s third annual Wall of Change event, featuring motivational speaker and comic Michael Pritchard, starts at 3 p.m. December 13 in the Board of Supervisors chamber at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. Chief Probation Officer Michael Daly said his staff will recognize individuals who have made admirable progress through treatment, education and perseverance.
The recipients have all received credit through the Probation Department’s Wall of Change recognition program. Those who enter the Probation Department office at the Civic Center can see photos and short stories posted on the Wall of Change about probationers who have committed to leading safe and sober lives and subsequently experienced stability and personal triumph. The event is designed to inspire new clients and prove that positive results are achievable.
“I would like to invite members of our community to join me in taking a different approach and celebrating those people who have made significant and positive changes in their lives,” Daly said. “These are people who not only successfully completed probation but have also overcome obstacles, barriers and challenges that few of us can imagine.”
Daly said the Wall of Change event is important because the public needs to hear the good stories coming out of the justice system and understand the tremendous efforts the partners in criminal justice who play a role in those successes. County Probation officers spend countless hours helping people get their lives back on track by overcoming abuse, trauma, addiction, and a lack of employment skills.
“We have numerous stories of folks on probation gaining sobriety, reuniting with family and employers, obtaining higher education and, most importantly, feeling confident about their ability to lead a crime-free life,” Daly said. “These folks often are very grateful for the services and opportunities they have been provided and they give back by helping others.”
The Wall of Change recognition event is open to the public. The Board chamber is in Suite 330 of the Civic Center, at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held at accessible sites. If you are a person with a disability and require information or materials in alternative formats – or if you require accommodation to participate in a county program, service or activity – please contact department staff at (415) 473-7331 or (415) 473-4381 (voice/TTY) or e-mail disabilityaccess@marincounty.org.