Nghiep “Ke” Lam
Nickname: Monke
Age: 30
Paroling to:
Family: Divorced parents, 3 younger brothers (1 deceased), 2 younger sisters

Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
I joined the T.R.U.S.T. for a partnership to make a positive ripple effect change in my life, my families, and communities.

What does being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow mean to you?
Being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow means being accountable for self, family, and community. In other words, being a walking and breathing example of change, responsibility, positive values, etc.

Since coming to prison, what have you accomplished?
Since coming to prison, I have accomplished self-awareness, self-worth, self-control, positive values, my G.E.D., plumbing trade, Peer Health Educator, joining programs to mentor “at-risk” youth, learn new skills (book bindery, food service, janitorial, etc), a personal relationship with God, communication with my parents, and learn more about them.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Some of my hobbies and interests are playing various sports (baseball, football, tennis, golf), watching movies and some sports, working out, organizing, listening to music, and building things (light covers, tables, shelves, etc out of wood and cardboards).

What programs are you involved with other than the T.R.U.S.T.?
Besides T.R.U.S.T., I’m also involved in S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. (mentoring “At-Risk” youth); Patten University (achieving my Associate of Art degree); Richmond Project (equipping men from Richmond with resources and tools for a successful re-entry); Baseball (S.Q. Giants) program; I.M.P.A.C.T. (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things) Self-Help program that deals with drug, alcohol, anger, man-role belief system, parenting etc; and others.

What kind of work do you do with the “inside” and/or “outside” communities?
The work I do with the “outside” communities is sharing my personal stories to help educate them about the kind of people that are behind these walls and aid them in functions. As part of the “inside” community, I try to be a mentor, inspiration, counselor, friend, and educator.

How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
I have lived up to the T.R.U.S.T. values by living a positive life and avoiding negative behaviors and crowds. Outside the T.R.U.S.T. workshops, I promote the T.R.U.S.T. by my negative-free lifestyle and decision-making choices.

What do you want to do after you parole?
After I parole, I want to join a community center to work with the elderly and kids. Join a Christian Church. Have a family of my own (wife and kids). Join a gym. Learn to cook. Ride a mountain mike. Download Music. Take a “private” shower and bath. Go to a baseball game. Have a reunion with old friends from childhood.

What are your long-term goals?
Some of my long-term goals are building more community centers. Giving speeches at various schools (prison and gang prevention). Owning my own community center and 1/4 acres home. Keeping in shape. Be the best husband and father I can every year. Visit all my family members.

Personal message to the outside community:
Change beings with self. In order to make a positive affect on our family and community, we need to be an example of that change. Of course, change does not happen overnight and comes with a cost. Let us not wait until a tragedy to happen before we make or help make a change. God Bless.