Journal of today’s activities:

After my morning exercise I drove east to meet with several community leaders from Stockton. First I joined a luncheon coordinated by Steve Bestolarides from the County’s Board of Supervisors. I met Steve longer than a year ago when I attended that Councilman Michael Tubbs put together. During that initial meeting I hoped to build a collaborative relationship with the city of San Joaquin. The vision did not come together then, but I continue working to advance the effort. I saw Steve again last month. He was in the audience at the Santa Clara Convention Center when I delivered a presentation on the need to take a disruptive, innovative approach to bring reforms to our nation’s prison system. Following that presentation, Steve invited me to reconnect in Stockton.

We met in a Siamese restaurant. When I arrived I saw Steve and he introduced me to Greg O’Leary. Michael Tubbs joined us later. Greg and I spoke during lunch, and I was grateful to Steve for making the introduction. It’s helpful for me to meet successful business leaders, as they can help launch efforts I make to connect the formerly incarcerated to jobs. After lunch, I drove with Steve to the County Building. I must say that I derive an enormous sense of fulfillment when leaders like Steve Bestolarides welcome me as contributing citizen. He escorted me to a meeting that included Monica Nino, the County Administrator, Steve Moore, the Sheriff of San Joaquin County, and a deputy who specifically asked that I “not leverage off of his name.” I didn’t know what that meant, so I won’t mention his name.

During the meeting, I told the group about my background, about the Straight-A Guide program that our organization offers, and about ways that our organization could add value to San Joaquin County. We’re currently working in San Joaquin County with our job-development program, but if the county agreed to purchase our program, I’m convinced that we could contribute more to community safety.

County Supervisor Steve Bestolarides, Monica Nino, and the Sheriff encouraged me with their receptivity to the message. We’ll have to see whether the meeting advances into a purchase order or a request for a proposal.

• Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 207
• Miles run today: 0
• Miles run this week: 0
• Miles run this month: 45.3
• Miles run in 2014: 518.63
• Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
• Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 85.01
• Today’s Weight: 167