Breaking Barriers Through Board Games

Breaking Barriers Through Board Games: How Chris and It’s Your Move Unite San Quentin

At San Quentin SkunkWorks, we believe in the power of innovation to drive change and rehabilitation. One of our most transformative partnerships has been with Chris, the owner and proprietor of It’s Your Move, located at 4920 Telegraph Ave. Suite B, Oakland, California. Today, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Chris for her unwavering support in bringing tabletop gaming into the lives of incarcerated people at San Quentin.

Without Chris’s perpetual donations and steadfast commitment, our movement to introduce tabletop gaming to the San Quentin community might never have gained the momentum it has today. Thanks to her generosity, a diverse array of games has found its way into our facilities—games that have become much more than just a pastime for us. These games have become tools for healing, for processing trauma, and for developing the skills necessary for reintegration into our communities.

More Than Just Games: A Pathway to Rehabilitation-

Chris’s contributions go far beyond simply providing entertainment. Gaming offers an alternative way to engage the mind, build problem-solving skills, and encourage collaboration. Through games, residents are finding hope and discovering strategies to rehabilitate themselves. These games foster critical thinking, promote cooperation, and allow players to experience consequences in a safe and structured environment. This is where true learning and self-reflection happen.

Unity in a Segregated Space-

Prison is a world marked by rigid boundaries, and racial segregation is a harsh reality within San Quentin. Throughout the yard, tables are often occupied by separate racial groups, reinforcing the divisions that permeate life behind bars. But there is one table where these boundaries are broken—the gaming table. Here, thanks to Chris and the incredible variety of games from It’s Your Move, people from different backgrounds come together. The gaming table is a unique space where connections can form across divides, allowing us to see beyond differences and share in a common experience.

An Unmatched Variety of Games-

The variety of games provided by It’s Your Move has opened our eyes to a world we never knew existed. Incarcerated people, as well as staff, have been amazed at the range of games Chris has introduced to our community. It’s more than just the classics like Monopoly, Life, Chess, and Checkers. Thanks to Chris, we have discovered gems like Ivanhoe, Settlers of Catan, Hive Pocket, and Conquest. These games, often unheard of within prison walls, are now empowering our community to think differently and to find new ways to connect.

Building Bridges and Breaking Down Barriers-

Gaming has also helped break down barriers not only among incarcerated people but also between residents and staff, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. It’s not just about playing the games; it’s about the connections we forge over them. Every session is an opportunity to build trust and empathy, to share laughter, and to view each other as equals. This would not have been possible without the incredible support from Chris and her store, It’s Your Move.

A Community Effort-

We invite everyone to visit It’s Your Move and experience the magic of gaming firsthand. Not only is Chris an ally in our journey toward rehabilitation, but she’s also a true pillar of the community, dedicated to using gaming as a means of positive change. By supporting It’s Your Move, you’re not just supporting a local business—you’re also supporting a mission to bring hope and healing to San Quentin.

Chris, we cannot thank you enough. Your generosity and belief in our mission continue to inspire us every day. Together, we’re proving that games can indeed be powerful tools for transformation. We look forward to seeing where this journey will take us, and we’re grateful to have you by our side.