PRESS RELEASE

Robin Williams and Michael Pritchard
Keeping it Real at the YGC

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — April 10, 2007 — A somber Robin Williams walked down the grey corridors of the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center. The comic king of improv had been left momentarily speechless by the appreciative crowd as he left the facility's gymnasium and made the short trek to the Maximum Security Unit. There were no jokes, no characters, and no personas. Mr. Williams was stripped of his comic armor as he kept it real with these incarcerated youth who had not been allowed to attend the morning presentation with the other youth. He spoke in a language they understood: rehabilitation, alcohol, drugs, unfortunate decisions, and hopes for a brighter a future.

On April 10th City Youth Now sponsored a heart-warming visit by actor Robin Williams and comedian Michael Pritchard to the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center. While it was Williams' first visit to the YGC, he has a long history of involvement with humanitarian organizations such as Comic Relief and U.S.O, most recently visiting U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Accompanying Mr. Williams was former San Francisco YGC juvenile counselor, former probation officer and comedic motivational speaker, Michael Pritchard.

In classic Williams and Pritchard style, the comic duo exchanged character voices, comic barbs, and gestures as they awaited security clearance in the CYN offices. However, as they walked through the sliding bullet proof steel doors, down the sullen corridor, and past the central control station to the gymnasium — the comic personas faded and reality hit hard.

Michael Pritchard, familiar with the youth sitting on the gymnasium floor, led the way with a series of character impersonations and vocal sounds to warm up the somewhat reluctant crowd. A roar of laughter, smiles, and positive endorphins filled the room as Pritchard expressed his love, care, and concern for the youth. While several youth rolled their eyes, mumbled expletives and shook their heads in disbelief. Others cocked their heads, interested in what the charismatic, teddy bear of a man before them had to say. The message was clear — Williams and Pritchard were not there to talk about what the youth had done and they did not see the youth for who they were. Rather, they saw the youth for who they were capable of being and the choices they would make in the future. The bottom line was that while the youth may not have had control of what happened in their lives, they do have control over how they respond.

The forty-five minute question and answer session entranced the young audience as both Pritchard and Williams talked about their own short comings, substance abuse, and decisions. Williams shared his personal path to fame and career as an actor with the youth. The blunt honesty, openness, and compassion Williams expressed as he discussed his battle with substance abuse and rehab created a safe space for the youth to share their lives with the actor.

Many of the youth were interested in Williams' career, his advice on getting started in the business of performing, his education, where he was born, and why he lives in San Francisco instead of Hollywood. Others were more interested in his personal struggles. When one youth expressed her disdain for rehab and questioned his ability to stick with it, Williams responded that rehab sucks but that it is necessary and important. He expressed the importance of human connections, and the impossible task of staying clean without the support of others. He urged the youth to attend meetings, make phone calls and reach out for support as they transition from the sober environment of juvenile hall to the world where alcohol and drugs are readily available and present. The raw truth, the need for human connection, and the ability to take responsibility were key topics of discussion. As one incarcerated youth pointed out, "...we need people like you. People who don't throw what we done in our faces 'cuz we know why we're here. We know it's our fault. We need to know people believe in us, support us and care 'bout us." Williams and Pritchard brought that message home in every way with humor, honesty, and heart.

Press Contact:
Brittany Heinrich
Executive Director
City Youth Now
brittany@cityyouthnow.org

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