dietercantu

Dieter founded Cantu’s Books to Incarcerated Youth Project which has expanded throughout the state of Texas. The purpose of this program is to make a variety of books readily available for the youth housed at various Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) facilities. He has partnered with multiple universities: University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, University of North Texas, Baylor, University of Texas at San Antonio, and Incarnate Word to collect and distribute books, as well as create a mentorship and pen pal program consisting of members close in proximity to maximum security facilities. The goal is to use these books to improve their literacy and reading skills which will enable them to further their education. This approach to addressing youth with minor infractions levies severe disciplinary repercussion and forgoes a rehabilitative process which would curtail negative stigmas associated with corrective actions.