Robert, a PenPals.Buzz Super Fan, works as a caretaker in Illinois. After some personal experiences with friends and family members being arrested and incarcerated, he decided it was time for less judgment and more kindness. In addition to helping the free-world senior citizen residents as his place of employment, he felt a strong desire to help those behind the walls, too. That's when, about a year ago, he happened across PenPals.Buzz and began writing to male and female prison inmates around the country. (He did his homework and learned, from our podcast, how to avoid being manipulated and taken advantage of.) Robert shares his personal experiences writing to prisoners and talking to some on the phone. He feels he's doing God's work by offering a supportive ear to those who need it most. "Sometimes, it just takes a listener. People just wanna feel heard," he shares. Robert also offers helpful advice to others about what to do (and what not to do) when beginning a pen pal friendship with a prison inmate. Most important, he says, always remember to "come with confidence, because you are the boss."
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