173 - Dear Members of the Charlotte Chess Club: First of all, let me introduce myself.  My name is Brenda Rubiano and I serve as the volunteer coordinator for Jan Thompson.  Ms. Thompson is the Director of Inmate Programs for the Sheriff’s Office. Recently, we encountered an article in the New York Times (“Prevent Crime from the Inside of U.S. Prisons”).  The article focused on educational innovations in the New Jersey prison system.  Since our mission is to improve the quality of life in the community, we offer a wide variety of therapeutic, educational and literacy programs.   We are constantly monitoring new and alterative educational programs for inmates implemented in other correctional settings and as you can guess, the article caught our attention. The article mentioned that the game of chess was being used as an educational tool.   Because the majority of their inmates come from the low-income neighborhoods, where education is not traditionally valued, chess is being used as a vehicle to teach reasoning and analytical skills.  They have partnered with local chess clubs and have had some success—recently they won a competition against the Princeton Chess Club.   We are interested in forming a chess club and we would like to partner with your organization.  It would be a way to introduce the inmates to another educational method disguised as a recreational game.   I read over your web site and I understand that you are the contact person for your club.  I am asking for your assistance with this project.  Would it be possible for you to communicate this to your members at your next meeting?  Potential volunteers would have to undergo a criminal background check and attend an orientation session.   We partner with various community agencies, regarding continuing education and would enjoy and welcome your organization’s participation in this new venture.  Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.  I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Brenda Rubiano Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office 801 E. Fourth St. Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone: 704-336-8143 Fax: 704/432-1836