Bo Lozoff
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Bo Lozoff is an American writer, musician, and interfaith humanitarian. He co-founded several nonprofits, including the interfaith Human Kindness Foundation and its subsidiary Prison-Ashram Project, Carolina Biodiesel, and Kindness House. Many of Lozoff's nonprofit activities aim to improve the lives of prisoners and ex-felons.
Nonprofit work
Lozoff, with his wife Sita Lozoff, founded the Human Kindness Foundation. He started the Prison-Ashram Project with Ram Dass in 1973. The Prison-Ashram Project, operated by Human Kindness Foundation, sends free interfaith books, compact discs, and correspondence to prisoners around the world. Bo Lozoff retired from Human Kindness Foundation in 2011; Sita Lozoff and a small staff continue the work of Human Kindness Foundation.[1]
Lozoff also founded an environmental non-profit, Carolina Biodiesel, for the dual purposes of promoting biodiesel and creating jobs for ex-cons. Carolina Biodiesel received a large bequest from Fred Rogers, who named Lozoff along with Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer, as one of his personal heroes.[2] Carolina Biodiesel is still operating in Durham.[3]
In 2008, Lozoff faced controversy surrounding the Kindness House, a home in rural Orange County, North Carolina, for parolees seeking to establish employment and residency as a means of transitioning out of correctional institutions. According to residents, Lozoff at times intimidated residents and had sexual relations with a female resident. Lozoff characterized his behavior to Indy Week as "unconventional."[4]
Writings
Lozoff is the author of We're All Doing Time, It's a Meaningful Life: It Just Takes Practice, whose forewords were written by the Dalai Lama, "Deep & Simple," which became the inspiration for the 2010 documentary, "Mister Rogers & Me," "Lineage & Other Stories," and "Just Another Spiritual Book." He has also written two books for children, The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn't Fly, and "A Little Boy in the Land of Rhyme," which was awarded "Best Children's Book of 2011" by the Big Island Music Awards. [5]
Lozoff is also a singer/songwriter with several CDs, who performs throughout the U.S.[6] [7]
Paul Harvey received an overwhelming response when he read Bo's "An Impatient Letter To All Of Us From God" on his radio program in 1998. In it, Lozoff wrote about his interfaith spiritual views.[8]
Allegations of abuse
In 2008, several ex-parolees and volunteers said in interviews with a reporter that Bo had been sexually and emotionally abusive at Kindness House. Lozoff denies ever being abusive to anyone, but has stated that his radical beliefs and lifestyle made him a "terrible choice by God" as leader of the community.[9] Kindness House closed in 2006; Human Kindness Foundation continues to operate the Prison-Ashram Project.
References
- ^ "Bo & Sita Lozoff". Humankindness.org. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
- ^ Ruley, Melinda (2004-04-28). "Bio-Kindness: Bo Lozoff". Independent Weekly.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ http://carolinabiofuels.org/
- ^ Saldaña, Matt (2008-08-27). "The Two Faces of Bo Lozoff". Indy Week.
- ^ www.bigislandmusicawards.com
- ^ http://www.sonicbids.com/bolozoff
- ^ http://www.reverbnation.com/bolozoff
- ^ http://www.cam.net.uk/home/aaa315/interfaith/GOD.HTM
- ^ Saldana, Matt (2008-08-27). "The Two Faces of Bo Lozoff: Fall from Grace". Independent Weekly.