Every day in America, more than 7,000 students drop out of school. "Summer in Sanctuary" is an autobiographical narrative that chronicles Al Letson's summer working as a creative writing teacher at the Sanctuary on 8th Street, a community center in an economically challenged neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida.

Letson challenges perceptions about race and class as he struggles to connect with the disadvantaged children of the Sanctuary. With Letson's natural gift for storytelling, "Summer in Sanctuary" opens the dialogue on America's dropout epidemic, while sharing the intimate story of a man's attempt to make a difference in the lives of a group of high-risk kids.

Told through monologue, poetry, song, and sound-rich reporting, "Summer in Sanctuary" takes listeners beyond the statistics to reveal the unseen challenges and complexities facing students in communities across the country.

"Letson is in masterful command of his audience."  —San Francisco Chronicle

Note: Due to mature language and themes, this series is recommended for ages 15 and up.