My name is Jerome, I am an inmate confined to Texas Department of Corrections LeBlanc Unit in Beaumont. I am also a member of the LeBlanc Toastmasters club.

For the six months that I have taken part in the Toastmasters public speaking and leadership program I have not only learned to be a better orator, but have also tapped into my potential to work successfully in a professional environment as an effective communicator, leader, and team player. To some of you, these achievements may not seem so spectacular, however, to a person such as myself whose daily use of English seemed almost confined to obscene descriptions of the human anatomy followed by a constant stream of "you know what I mean's" and the infamous "N" word - this was a life changing experience.

The Toastmasters program however did more than expand my vocabulary, for what good is a large vocabulary without the ability to use it correctly, or the self-confidence to use it at all? Of the benefits which one can gain I believe that the self-confidence Toastmasters instills is by far the most beneficial. Many of us whose backgrounds are rooted in the streets have no problem in communicating ...on the street level that is. Unfortunately, when it comes to speaking to those outside our social circles, suddenly we become nearly mute! I've observed this in my own experience as well as that of others. For example, when attempting to explain some situation to a security officer after being asked that infamous question "So, what's the problem"? I could never keep them around long enough to actually listen to my problem because of my inability to be direct and to the point. Even making a simple request to the unit warden was distressing. I can only imagine what this "hardened convict" must have looked like - fidgeting, perspiring, and stuttering his way through the conversation. Looking back, I realized that this inability to communicate effectively has been a problem in my life long before coming to prison. Whether in a job interview, speaking to a teacher, or even a police officer I often failed to convey my message mostly because I doubted my ability to do so. In short, when you know you can speak well, you usually do.

I firmly believe that the combined lack of self-confidence and an acute inability to communicate effectively contributes profoundly to self-destructive behavior, thus only by overcoming these obstacles and cultivating strong social skills will we hope to develop the ingredients for successful living. Hence, the need for programs like Toastmasters in American prisons.

Before I close, I would like to stress the fact that Toastmasters isn't some elitist club for the highly intelligent or highly educated. On the contrary, it is a program developed for the everyday person, the common man as well as the uncommon man, to cultivate his social potential. In my experience, the only requirements are that you be committed to self-improvement and helping others to improve. Ultimately, if you're willing to invest some time and effort (as well as sacrifice a bit of your ego), this program will develop in you the self-confidence and skill to use the knowledge and experience that you already possess to communicate effectively in all forms, whether on the job, in school, or at home.

Toastmasters isn't a “cure-all" but, if you are sincere in your approach it will open doors within you that you never knew existed. I've witnessed this on several occasions and most significantly, I have seen the improvement and maturity in my own life; something I never expected would come simply by seizing an opportunity presented to me by people who truly care. It is my sincere wish that this program does for you what it has done for me.

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