If your incarceration or the incarnation of a loved one has led you astray from family and friends, you may find that the holiday season brings feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can be hard to go through the holidays on your own when it is a time that is typically spent with loved ones, and you may be missing yours more during this season. Talk to Someone Thanks to social media and technology, connecting with friends and family who do not live near you is easier than ever. Calling or video-chatting a friend can help ease feelings of loneliness even if they cannot physically be with you ..read more

Josephine E. found herself in a dark place due to her alcohol use. It wasn’t until her church was seeking a recovery group coordinator that she found the motivation to make a change. Asking for Help At her lowest point, Josephine turned to faith and her community to guide her toward a successful recovery. Through faith and service, she has been able to find her way toward a brighter future. Through her experience, she found that there is no shame in asking for help. Josephine tried the “I can do this on my own” path and would not recommend it to others. She learned that with the support of he ..read more

During your time incarcerated, your legal identification may have been lost, damaged, or expired. You will need to renew your license or state identification card to secure basic needs such as housing, employment, and medical care, or to apply for benefits. Getting an official ID should be one of the first things you do upon release. It is an essential step to moving forward and rebuilding your life. Accomplishing this sooner rather than later will greatly impact your success as you return to the community. Getting a new ID may seem like a daunting task. You may have transportation or financi ..read more

In this post, we’ll talk about what expungement is, why it’s important, and how you can begin the process. What’s Expungement? Expungement, also called record sealing, is a legal way to hide certain criminal records from public view. It’s like getting a fresh start. This process can include hiding arrest records, court papers, and sometimes even records of your conviction(s). The rules are different depending on where you live and what you were charged with, but the goal is the same: to let you move forward without the weight of your past. Why Does it Matter? After you’ve been released, it ta ..read more

Reigh E. grew up in Vallejo, California and was exposed to crime, drugs, and violence as a young child. Over time, he began normalizing these destructive behaviors and felt that using them was the only way to survive. Reigh walked around with a “don’t mess with me” attitude. Many people warned him that his criminal lifestyle would eventually lead to prison or death, but he didn’t care. As a teenager, Reigh developed a substance use disorder and used violence to “solve” his problems. Despite numerous jail stays, Reigh believed he would beat prison. Eventually, his lifestyle caught up with him ..read more

Life can present us with unexpected challenges, and for those who have experienced time behind bars, the path to a fresh start may seem daunting. However, history has shown us that adversity does not define us. In this blog post, we will explore the extraordinary stories of three individuals who, two of which served time in jail, found the strength within themselves to obtain their high school equivalency diploma and beyond. Their stories are a testament to the power of education, resilience, and personal growth, serving as beacons of hope for those seeking a new beginning. Abraham Lincoln A ..read more

Technology can be a powerful asset for individuals reintegrating back into the community. It supports various activities at every stage of the reentry process, but with so many options, it’s hard to know where to start. Each person’s reentry journey is unique and may be influenced by different factors, such as the type of conviction, geography, probation and parole conditions, access to resources, and available transportation. Technology allows more services to be readily available and provides better access to critical services, including counseling, support groups, medical, and mental healt ..read more

Starting your own business can be a great way to earn a living, and it allows you to work on your own schedule, bypass background checks, and take control of your finances. Some businesses require a lot of money and time to begin; however, there are several businesses you can start right now with less than $100 and some determination. 1. Car Wash/House Cleaning Services like car washing and house cleaning are easy to begin as there is very little startup cost and a usually a high demand for these services. All you need to purchase to get started is some basic cleaning supplies. You can advert ..read more

Upon your release, you may find that your relationships with friends or family members have changed. Parents, spouses, employers, and friends may feel as though trust has been broken, depending on your situation. New people you meet may be hesitant to trust you once they find out about your past. Employers, landlords, colleagues, and potential friends or dates may form an opinion about you before getting to know you. Trust is an important building block of any solid relationship, so you may need to work harder at earning other’s trust. With consistency and the right approach, you can build st ..read more

Jaime E. was born into a toxic environment. He never met his father, and his mother had a severe drug addiction. Jaime was sexually abused from age six until his mother died when he was just ten years old. His extended family placed him in the hands of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He moved from foster care, various boy’s homes, juvenile jail, and eventually prison. Before serving his sentence, Jaime fathered a son. Like his own Dad, Jaime became an absent father. A Change of Heart At the beginning of his sentence, Jaime was affiliated with a gang. He longed for a sense of community and f ..read more