An Icon Is Gone

David Lewis, friend of Centerforce and thousand of others is no longer here to guide the community but he leaves a powerful community support network to continue his work. David Lewis dedicated his life to helping people in East Palo Alto and around the world recover from substance abuse and imprisonment.

David Lewis was a well-known community leader who worked hard to turn wayward lives around, for which he was known nationally.   Upon release from prison he co-founded Free at Last, a substance abuse treatment program in East Palo Alto. Its model is being adapted internationally, from Massachusetts to Kenya.

Through Free at Last, he gave scores of children back their parents. He was a surrogate parent to many, a community leader who worked as an HIV and substance abuse counselor. For further stories, visit the Free At Last website: www.freeatlast.org/success_stories/index.htm .

He was awarded the California Peace in 1995 and the Positive Image Award in 1992.

He worked closely with Centerforce Executive Director, Carol F. Burton, over the years to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration through a transformative program entitled "A Framework for Breaking Barriers" developed by Gordon Graham and Company and taught in prisons across the United States.   Ms.   Burton and Mr. Lewis were scheduled to teach the three day class inside San Quentin in July.   David traveled extensively to speak about addiction, recovery, HIV prevention and transformation.   East Palo Alto Police Chief Ron Davis and long time friend said, "He was a stellar person in the community. He worked hard. He wasn't without fault - he would be the first to tell you that. But to change that into something positive for the community is what I think his legacy will be. "Davis described Lewis as dedicated to his work and fearless.   He would approach people who were hanging out on street corners and go to their homes.

To continue his legacy inside prisons please make a donation to Centerforce <www.centerforce.org> for the "A Framework for Breaking Barriers" (click through below). Donations in David's honor are also being collected by Free at Last. To make a contribution to Free at Last go to <www.freeatlast.org>