Feb 11, 2008

Music benefit touches lives impacted by crime

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

With a mission to help the working poor, homeless and incarcerated individuals of San Mateo County, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has been the "voice of the poor," seeking to restore the dignity of individuals and families in crisis in the community.

At SVdP's fifth annual Evening of Music at Kohl Mansion, in Burlingame, three individuals were honored for their years of dedication to inmate rehabilitation and re-entry to society. During the Jan. 27 benefit concert for SVdP's Catherine Center, a transitional living facility with support programs for women leaving jail or prison, Elizabeth Gheleta, Don Horsley and John Keast were awarded for their work that has touched the lives of those impacted by crime, said event presenter Lorraine Moriarty, SVdP executive director.

Gheleta, a Menlo Park resident, began her career as the Service League bookkeeper nearly 40 years ago. Before retiring in 2006 as the Service League's executive director, Gheleta worked with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to expand jail services, including educational and religious classes, substance abuse counseling and life skills training. Gheleta was also instrumental in developing four transitional residential facilities for former inmates and programs to assist inmates' children and families.

While accepting her honor, Gheleta couldn't take credit for the people's lives she helped turn around. "Nothing happens with just one person," she said, modestly adding, "We can't do it for them, people do it for themselves."

Horsley became sheriff of San Mateo County in 1993 and oversaw the jail expansion that included facilities for religious, educational and substance abuse programs. During his 34-year law enforcement career, the Redwood City resident also implemented programs for the benefit of the community, including an expanded D.A.R.E. program, the School Resource Officer Program and Sheriff's Activity League, an after-school program designed to help at-risk youth stay off the street and out of gangs.

Introducing Horsley was Mike Nevin, current Service League executive director, who said his friend, a "cop's cop" and "gentle giant," believed in re-entry and second chances.

Horsley admitted he didn't always believe in rehabilitation, but he eventually had a revelation. It occurred to him that everyone in jail was somebody's someone - someone's mother, brother, father, child and friend - and that many people's lives are a product of poor circumstances.

"If I didn't have the opportunities I've had, maybe it would've been me (in jail)," Horsley said.

"He reached out to good people who made bad decisions," said Nevin, about Horsley. "I respect him. I admire his compassion for the underdog."

In 2000, honoree Keast founded the Inmate Correctional Education Project (ICEP) to provide men and women at six California prisons with educational services, including access to higher education, scholarships and programs for incarcerated women with children. In collaboration with SVdP's Catherine Center, ICEP runs the Peer Re-entry Coaches Training Program, a mentoring program for former inmates.

In his introduction, Bill Lane said Keast was "a man with tremendous vision and passion," and that the 87-year-old Foster City resident and ICEP executive director probably "won't ever retire."

Keast believes that inmates "need more than what the system is providing," and that lack of life-rebuilding resources continues to spur his dedication.

While SVdP may be the "voice of the poor," the night's featured vocal ensemble, Musae, was the voice of sanctity. With rejoicing spirit and soul-stirring vocals, the San Francisco-based group presented a program of traditional women's repertoire from the Spanish world.

Enjoying the ensemble performance was Catherine Center peer coach Leyla Pepper, Keast's friends John and Jan Dollard, Gheleta's daughter Kathy Crane and brother Walt Kohnert, Catherine Center ambassadors Karen Leonardini and Catherine Wilkinson, and event co-chairwomen Diane Fahrner and Junona Jonas.

Ending the evening with a closing ritual, women from the Catherine Center revealed their newfound strength and faith in a spoken word vignette titled "Mighty River." After the personal reading concluded, the projected image of a peaceful, flowing river was divided as the doors to the dinning room parted, revealing the heavenly sight of Irish coffee and dessert.


Adria Murray's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail amurray@dailynewsgroup.com or call 650-327-9090, ext. 328.