OUR FACILITATORS

Aaron believed he was going to die in prison. His life was full of strife and chaos. Drugs, gangs, and violence were all he knew. Hope had died a quiet death in his heart and mind until he was invited to sit with Inside Circle. The work they introduced him to opened his heart in a new direction and he became free inside prison. After serving 22 years of a life sentence, he has found peace and fulfillment in realizing that he can help others find their own peace and hopefully, pay it forward as he does. As a facilitator, he brings his generous spirit and ability to hold others compassionately in their truth.

Al Lewis brings a wealth of experience in professional organizing and personal transformation work. He is a retired labor organizer. He is also cofounder of Inward Journey Inc and chief architect of its Underground Railroad Training Odyssey. He currently serves as a facilitator in the Shelby County Jail with Inside Circle.

Martha is a compassionate and dedicated facilitator of healing journeys, drawing on her own experiences as a childhood cancer survivor and overcoming family addiction and trauma.  Her profound empathy for others’ suffering and challenges has shaped her lifelong commitment to the art of attentive listening.  Martha focuses on empowering individuals to connect more deeply with themselves and others.  At her core, she is passionate about contributing to the world by helping others uncover their truth and embark on their path to healing.

You might not notice this small and unassuming human until she’s at your side in full support of your bared humanity. Tash is fiercely committed to respectfully and lovingly helping people reclaim their essential self after trauma. As a facilitator, she brings 25 years experience in leading group process work in a range of settings. She moves with instinct and intuition – patiently shining a light into the dark places within so you can transform wounds into wisdom. Her vision is a world where everyone has access to this life changing inner work.

I am a licensed hypnotherapist and have 29 years of experience facilitating personal transformation in both men’s and coed groups and privately.

Samuel Arroyo is a social worker who has dedicated his life to the provision of quality to services to youth and families affected by poverty, diseases and other forms of societal ills. Mr. Arroyo achieved a Certificate in Ministry and Human Services from New York Theological Seminary in 2000. He also holds a Bachelor in Behavioral Sciences from Mercy College. Mr. Arroyo commenced his graduate studies at Herbert H. Lehman College in 2007 where he graduated and received his Master of Social Work degree in 2010. In 2012, Mr. Arroyo commenced his doctoral studies at Saint John Fisher College where he engaged in the course work towards his Ed. D in Executive Leadership.

Mr. Arroyo completed his dissertation titled “An Exploration into the Phenomena Behind Post-secondary Higher Education and Its Implications on Employability, and Constructive Lifestyle Changes Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals,” and earned his Ed. D in Executive Leadership in May of 2015.

Dr. Arroyo’s educational journey led to his development as an executive leader, engaged researcher, refined scholar, and group facilitator. Some of his work has been featured in the Journal of Prison Education and Reentry; he coauthored the article “Needed Specialist for a Challenging Task: Formerly Incarcerated Leaders’ Essential Role in Postsecondary Programs in Prison.” Dr. Samuel Arroyo is a leader and expert in the field of higher education. Moreover, he is a role model–a credible messenger–and passionate advocate for the rights of youth and all formerly incarcerated people.

Dr. Arroyo’s professional portfolio includes consulting government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector entities working with credible messengers, criminal justice involved youth and families.  He teaches for John Jay College of Criminal justice’s Sociology Department, but above all, he is fully engaged and invested in helping others live to their fullest potential as leaders and change agents.