Honoring Rick Moore, Founding Director of the Claremont Forum

George “Rick” Moore, who passed away in March at age 73, was the founding director of the Claremont Forum and the driving force behind the vision that still guides our work today.

We have taken time to share this remembrance so that Rick’s family could first gather for his celebration of life. It feels right to now reflect on his remarkable contributions and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

In 1985, he brought the Prison Library Project to Claremont, a grassroots effort to send free books to incarcerated individuals across the country. What began as a small act of kindness and care grew into something much larger. As the project expanded, the Claremont Forum took shape as an umbrella organization with a broader mission to promote wellness, education, and the arts in service of community.

The Prison Library Project is now one of the nation’s largest book-to-prisoner programs, sending tens of thousands of books each year to correctional facilities nationwide. That work continues today, alongside other programs that reflect the vision he set in motion.

Believing in practical, people-powered change, he focused less on prestige and more on building systems of care rooted in connection and dignity. The Claremont Farmers & Artisans Market was part of that vision, bringing health and wellness opportunities to the community while also serving as a creative way to sustain the Prison Library Project. By supporting local farmers and artists, the market supported the mission too.

Beyond his work in literacy and community health, he was a ceramicist, a teacher, and a mentor. Years at The Clay Yard as both a board member and working artist reflected his belief in the healing power of creativity and the quiet discipline of craft.

This year brought an even deeper loss when, just weeks later, his wife and partner of more than 20 years, Sarah Romo, passed away on April 4. Sarah was a dedicated supporter of the Claremont Forum and served as a board member from 2008 to 2011. Together, Rick and Sarah shared a deep commitment to the Forum’s work and to building a stronger, more connected community.

The Claremont Forum Bookshop is also a reflection of their hopes for the organization. Envisioned as the home and heart of the Prison Library Project, it has grown into a space for readers, writers, artists, and volunteers. Here, ideas are exchanged, creativity is nurtured, and purpose takes root.

The loss of both Rick and Sarah has been felt deeply within the Claremont Forum. Together, they helped shape an organization rooted in care, community, and purpose. Volunteers and staff carry that vision forward with pride, knowing the Forum’s mission will always reflect the values they held dear.