Meet Sahiba, Our Volunteer of the Year
Volunteering with the Petey Greene Program is more than an opportunity to give back; it opens a door for the next generation of thought leaders, setting them on a path towards creating greater justice in our criminal legal system.
Earlier this fall, I was thrilled to watch on as the Petey Greene Program honored Sahiba Tandon with the inaugural James S. Farrin Volunteer Award for her commitment to her students and her dedication to criminal justice reform. I am excited to share Sahiba’s story which exemplifies the impact that working with the Petey Greene Program has on the lives of volunteers:
“When I joined the Petey Greene Program in Philadelphia, I was just a college freshman, driven by curiosity and a love for tutoring and learning, but unsure what to expect. What I discovered working with the men at SCI Chester in Philadelphia went beyond tutoring; I’ve grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Week after week, I’ve led with my heart, approaching each tutoring session with empathy and care for the people I work with, treating them as if they are family. Throughout my time with the Petey Greene Program, I’ve shared laughter, encouragement, and moments of struggle with students who, despite the constraints around them, bring so much dedication and resilience to their education. They often teach me more than I could ever teach them.
Each week, we bridge gaps not only in knowledge but also in understanding, and these shared experiences fill each encounter with a kind of warmth and joy that’s hard to put into words. Getting to know and work with these individuals—who have so much life left to share and yet are often unseen and forgotten—has not only fueled my dedication to criminal justice reform but has given me a profound sense of purpose.
Education becomes an act of justice when people are supported in their pursuit of it, especially when so much else is stripped away. Nothing brings me more joy than being able to talk to, connect with, and uplift those who are neglected by society. This work has become my livelihood, a grounding force that fills me with energy and connection. On days when I wake before dawn and stay inside the walls past sundown, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Every hour I’ve spent as a volunteer with the Petey Greene Program has reminded me of the kind of world I want to help create—one where everyone has access to learning, growth, and dignity. Being part of this program in any form is a humbling blessing. I feel like a single piece in a vast, interconnected puzzle, that supports the power of collective action and movement. These experiences have made me a stronger, more passionate leader, driven by a belief in educational justice.
Supporting the Petey Greene Program means supporting a vision where education is accessible to all, and it is this vision that I am proud to champion.”
— Sahiba Tandon, PGP Volunteer, James S. Farrin Volunteer Award Recipient 2024
The Petey Greene Program changes the lives of volunteers and students. Our commitment to quality education and lifelong learning is built on the belief that human connection and dignity are at the center of educational justice. Help us continue to create opportunities for volunteers like Sahiba. Donate today.
Sincerely,
Colette Johnson, Executive Director of Business Development and Strategy