THE GUYS
During his time at GOSO, Mark L. Goldsmith worked with thousands of detainees on Rikers Island, helping many of them to see a future for themselves outside of the prison system. Today, many of them still correspond with him and even send him Father’s Day Cards.
Meet the Guys
Maliki
I remember it like it was yesterday. The year was 2007 and I got arrested in my senior year of high school, a few months before graduation. All I could think was I just threw my life away and I have to do time and I will never get to graduate from high school or college. Then one day I was in my cell on Rikers Island and a guard informed me that I could go to school in jail. I was like “school in jail - really?” I was extremely excited. Not only was i excited that i could restart my life, I was happy to get out of the cell. On the first day of school we walked into a real classroom setting that was et up inside the prison. It had desks, chalk boards, and even outside teachers who were not prison guards. One day when I was attending school Mr. Goldsmith came in as a guest speaker. They would have different people come in from time to time to talk to us and inspire us, but out of all the speakers that I met during this sentence I knew Mr. Goldsmith was genuine. You could tell by his aura and the way he dealt with the students. He told us, the students, about the program he was starting called Getting Out and Staying Out, and that’s exactly what I wanted, to get out and stay out! So I would always strike conversations with him so he would know I was serious and so he would accept me into the program upon my release, he would always give me a few minutes and give me respect as a human being he didn’t treat me like an inmate and that’s another thing I loved about him. They say you can judge a man’s character by how he treats people who can do nothing for him. So based n the way he treated me, I knew he had great character. Fast forward a few months a later I got sentenced and was about to be shipped upstate to finish my time. I informed Mr. Goldsmith and he told me to stay in contact with him. So I did. I wrote him and he wrote back. My girlfriend even stopped writing me so for Mr. Goldsmith to write me made me feel special because it gave me hope that someone believed in me and wanted to see me do good. In return that’ exactly what i did. Like a son and a father I would constantly keep him updated on the steps I was taking to get my life back in order. I wanted to make him proud and he always let me know he was proud of me and that kept me going. Upon my release I rerolled in college, Lehman college, and majored in business. I maintained a 3.5GPA and got A+s in all my business classes. I also worked full time as a dishwasher to keep myself busy and to stay out of trouble…Fast forward a few years later and I entered into a business pitch competition and I came in first place out of fifty other men. I won office space for a year, start up money and free business assistance. With that I started my company, i-haul-junk, inc. and not only did I quite my job but I hired other men who were fresh out of prison. I learned from Mr. Goldsmith no matter how “high up” you get you should always give back and extend your hand to those who truly need it…. Mr. Goldsmith was a real life changer and I will forever be grateful for the time and energy he put into me.
Anton
“We met on Rikers, Beacon 2005. I graduated Valedictorian with your help MG and got a high school diploma. I plead guilty and took ten years. Got my bachelors from Ohio State and came home and now getting my MBA at Rutgers. Along the way I built www.emmaspremiumservices.com and landed on Forbes. The company is $1 million + in sales this year and I am finally off parole. You played a huge part in my life and I hope you know I owe a lot of where I am today to you.”
Carlos
I first met Mark Goldsmith, Mr. G, at Horizon Academy in Rikers Island 16 years ago when I was 19. GOSO was nothing more than an idea when we conversed during the few times we met. I continued to meet with Mr. G the entire time I was at the facility housing the school, becoming involved in GOSO at its infant stages as a result. Though I was transferred to a different holding facility shortly after meeting him, he promised me we would never lose contact. He kept his promise.
My first month upstate…I wrote Mr. G thanking him for his thoughtful guidance and moral support. He wrote back reminding me of his pledge to remain in contact. A few weeks later I received an application from Ohio University to enroll in college to continue my education. As GOSO’s first participant, I eventually enrolled in correspondence courses financially supported by Mr. G.
Less than a month after receiving my courses, Mr. G sent me a typewriter for me to do homework on.
We would communicate by phone and via mail every few months or so to send updates. I about school and he about GOSO. Through our communication I got to witness GOSO evolve from a great idea, to an office in some random building, and finally to a storefront location in Harlem. I was constantly made aware of participants’ progress and success stories. I always felt a part of whatever was going on despite my distance form it all.
A few days after reentering society, I called Mr. G to set up a meeting. We met a few weeks later…he proudly introduced me to everyone and made me feel very welcomed by the GOSO family. That same day I was invited to speak at an annual fundraising event happening a few weeks later.
Johnny R
“All I want is one chance to prove myself that I have changed my life around. I know I made a mistake and a poor decision, but I am tired of people judging me for my past. I want people to see my hard work and my determination to succeed in life. I have done so many positive things in my life now… Mr. G, it’s always a pleasure to hear from you, you put a smile on my face every time I receive a letter from you. I know you believe in me and for that I thank you my friend.” (2017)
“Dear Mr. G… You’re my mentor, role model and father figure. You have helped me over the years mature into the man I am today. If it wasn’t for you to push me in my education I don’t believe I would be where I am today. As you may know, I am still enrolled in John Jay College and Hostos Community College.” (2021)
Time Slips Away
“If I only had time” - how often it’s said
By each one of us un lives that are led
In pursuit of a dream or the seeking of fame,
In a task to be done or winning a game.
But year after year and day after day,
Time always, it seems, keeps slipping away.
“If I just had the time, how gladly I’d spend
More hours with family or visit a friend.
How great it would be to sit by a brook
And write a long letter or read a good book.”
But month after month and day after day,
Time always, it seems, keeps slipping away.
“If I could find the time, I’d help those in need
And service to others would soon be my creed.”
Yes, most of us feel there’s so much we should do,
But the minutes fly by and the weeks are too few.
So month after month and day after day,
Time slides thorough our fingers and just slips away.
If only we knew, ere we run out of grace,
The time we have left to kiss a dear face,
To hold someone’s hand who is faithful and true
And whisper these words: “My dear, I love you!”
For moment by moment and day after day,
Our lives, just like time, keep slipping away.
By Johnny, 6/29/05
Burnell
“Most importantly, if it ever went unsaid, but truly you are the longest friendship and the biggest inspiration in which I try to model my life around because as you can see currently we’re highly short on people of good character and integrity. Mr. G, for many years I’ve searched and studied many subject matters and thought under so many but none could ever measure up to those Rikers Island years and those one on one times that still mean more to me than the almost 20 years combined…and I can’t say thank you enough for see “that” something in me that honestly I didn’t even see in myself.
Respectively, regarding your upcoming book, what sticks out is what was put into it and the vast results that came out. I certainly have been given a front row seat to what hard work and dedication looks like from one of the most selfless human beings I’ve ever met along my 38 year journey on this earth. Some have talked it but none have shown it with or by better grace. I know that time isn’t a luxury to us but I wholeheartedly one day hope to see you once again, face to face my dear friend and finally putting the last period to this chapter on my book.”
Manny
“I’m currently working for NYC Health and Hospitals as a case investigator in the Test and Trace Corp. It’s working remotely so I enjoy the fact that I can work from the comfort of my own home. It’s a great experience with good pay and great benefits. My family members are doing well thank God. A is 18 years old and attending BMCC. He wants to study forensic science. It has been wonderful for me. I’m looking forward to soon getting more opportunities to demonstrate my skills and prove that men like me deserve a good shot at being great citizens. I thank you for always believing in me and trusting me.”
John G
“When I was incarcerated on Rikers Island GRVC in 2005 and attending the GED program in their Horizon Academy, I was introduced to a great man, mentor, coach, and friend by the name of Mark Goldsmith, who had a program called GOSO. The requirements were to submit a resume and a story about yourself. Mark would meet with inmates once a week at the school to discuss what was waiting for us when we got out. He was teaching us about the recidivism rate, and giving us other useful information about vocational training, educational programs etc, that GOSO would assist in paying for to help us re enter society in a productive way.
I took full advantage of what GOSO had to offer from day one. Mark Goldsmith met with me one on one every week and provided assistance with communication with my attorney and district attorneys from the courts, to help me get the best possible outcome. This was vital when a young man growing raised in a low poverty neighborhood where most either get killed or end up in prison with no resource from inside or assistance financially. Thanks to Mark, I received a great offer, instead of more prison time which is common under the circumstances. Instead, i was offered a rehabilitation program… I learned how to become a responsible independent young man living on my own.”
“It’s been 14 years since I met Mark Goldsmith. We have conversations frequently. Mark Goldsmith has been a HUGE part of my future and still remains a big part of my life. I am humble to have met such a great role model and to be a part of such a great program with a great cause. Thank you Mark for all you have done. I will be forever thankful.
WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE MARK!!!!!”