September 2026 Newsletter

Dear Petey Greene Program Community,

As we return from Labor Day weekend, I want to officially welcome all of our students, volunteers, faculty, and supporters back for the fall semester, and to introduce myself as PGP's Interim CEO.

Whether you are stepping into a facility for the first time, returning for another season of tutoring, or supporting us from the sidelines, your dedication is what makes our work possible.

I come to this role with a deep, long-standing appreciation for this organization. During my time overseeing educational programs at the DC Jail, I had the privilege of seeing PGP's impact firsthand. The Petey Greene Program opens so many doors for people and gives them a glimpse of possibilities they might never have imagined or known were within reach. Watching students walk through those doors and transform their own lives and communities is the most rewarding work there is. I am honored to join you in it.

The Petey Greene Program doesn't just deliver tutoring; it builds relationships based on trust, boosts student confidence, and creates genuine communities of support inside and outside jail and prison walls. I have watched PGP tutors stand alongside students, guiding them through difficult concepts and reminding them every day that their goals matter.

Throughout my 40-year career in justice-involved education—whether building a school district within the Federal Bureau of Prisons or overseeing college and career readiness at the DC Department of Corrections—my core belief has remained the same: providing high-quality education within the carceral system is one of the most powerful catalysts for individual growth and systemic change.

This fall, I'm looking forward to getting to know this community and building on the work so many of you are already doing. Here’s to a great semester!

With my warmest regards,

Dr. Amy Lopez
Interim CEO, The Petey Greene Program