Mistakes
November 26, 1997
Thomas Burke
Facility Parole Officer
Greene Correctional Facility
Coxsackie, NY 12051-0008
Re: Manuel Reynoso
Dear Mr. Burke,
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I was the director of the intervention program that Manny was involved in called the Liberty Partnership Program at Bank Street College. It was during this period 90-94, that I knew Manny. What I have to say about him concerns his work with us one summer.
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It was I believe the summer of 91 and Manny was selected to attend our summer residential program: The Environmental Science Academy held at Bard College in upstate New York. I think that this was the first time I as well as other staff got a glimpse of who Manny was. Maybe it was because it was set in a bucolic, safe, college environment that allowed kids like Manny to be kids, to be children, (something life in New York prevents many young adolescents from being). In the 14 days that Manny was there I got to see a kid who possessed an endearing sense of humor, someone avidly interested in the natural world, in the rigors of comprehending ecology and fieldwork, someone whose communicative and expressive abilities as a writer showed great promise, and finally, someone who was capable of exhibiting positive leadership skills with his peers. We were a tightly knit community up there, highly interdependent and motivated. What I saw in Manny was someone who had the intelligence, wit and sensitivity to see his place in the world and the capacity to give something back. But life is obviously never a fairy tale. That fall, during the illness of his mother and her subsequent death I could see Manny like others before him, slipping away. The lure of others was greater than ours for a whole host of reasons.
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I have not seen Manny for close to three years now. And yet if there is anything of that inquisitive wide eyed young man who caught butterflies, identified insects and wrote with insight and imagination, then I would urge you and those who are in the position to decide, not to make him another causality, another lost soul. But rather, to offer him the opportunity, which he has squandered once, to use his liberty to become a human being who lives responsibly and intelligently in the world. I think he is worth that risk.
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Sincerely,
David Penberg
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November 26, 1997
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Dear Manny,
Enclosed is a copy of the letter I wrote on your behalf. I mean every syllable of it. Life is composed of errors and mistakes. No one is immune from that. It's what we do with those mistakes and errors of judgment that matter. I think that is what sets us apart from the animals. Something in me tells me that you can convert all that you have learned from your mistakes into something valuable and worthy. You know I never felt that we could "save" anyone through Liberty. We could only offer the opportunities and conditions for young people to begin to trust themselves and their ability to become thinking caring humans. I hope the powers that be will see that too and offer you another opportunity to get it right.
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You be well, Manny. And let me know what happens and whatever help I might be.
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My best,
David
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December 23, 1997
Dear David,
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Words can't ever express how I feel right now but I will say this: You are and always will be a true friend whom I will hold dear to my heart.
Wow! It's been so long but yet you were only a letter away. Your letter brought such happiness that it surely brought tears of joy, which I think no one here can comprehend.
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I thank you for your effort in writing on my behalf to the board people. I'll write you as soon as all is over and done.
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A friend,
Manny