Former San Quentin inmate empowers at-risk youth with music

By: Colleen Bidwill (cbidwill@marinij.com)

John Wallace started writing music in his cell at San Quentin State Prison. It became his way to express himself and reflect on what led him down the path of drugs and gang life, landing him in and out of Marin County Jail and eventually the state prison. After Wallace, 39, was discharged in 2003 - with 75 songs under his belt - he realized, things might have turned out differently for him as a kid growing up in Marin City, had he had an outlet to express what it was like being bullied for many years in school, and dealing with loss and trauma. His desire to give back and help at-risk youth in Marin led the Novato resident to found Surviving the Odds Project, funded by the Canal Welcome Center and a grant through the Marin Health and Human Services, that empowers youth through musical self-expression. Its inaugural class began in March, and over the next few weeks, 13 students will write and record music at Legion Beats in San Rafael, learn film editing and video 

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Former San Quentin inmate empowers at-risk youth with music