Participant Stories

One word resonates deeply when you listen to Brian’s story: stability. This thread weaves through his childhood dreams, professional endeavors, and current challenges. It is also the very thing that remains out of reach for too many justice-impacted individuals striving to rebuild their lives.

When Ronald “Ron” walked out of prison in 2023 after serving seven years, freedom was supposed to mean a fresh start. But instead, it felt like running into a wall.

Samara’s story is one of courage, transformation, and the pursuit of ordinary happiness. At 32, she has already survived a life that would break most people; however, thanks to her determination and the support of reentry organizations, Samara is now using her experiences to uplift others on their path to recovery.

Within his first week home, he paid for OSHA 10 training out of pocket from the $200 gate money, unaware that the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) could have provided it at no cost. Soon after, his probation officer referred him to CEO Buffalo, where staff told him about the union pre-apprenticeship program. He decided to give it a shot.

My name is Sergio. I am a formerly incarcerated firefighter. My experience with fighting fires gave me purpose when I had none. Standing shoulder to shoulder with my crew, facing walls of flame that seemed impossible to overcome, I found something I never expected in prison: pride in protecting communities and saving lives.

Joshua first heard about Emerging Leaders Program from his manager, who encouraged him to apply. “I appreciate his belief that this would be a valuable step for my professional development,” he said.

Before joining CEO, David hadn’t completed a resume or attended a job interview in over two decades. “I was so lost in life,” he said. “My probation officer told me to come to Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Sacramento to get a job and that’s how the journey began.”

When Martin joined CEO Sacramento, he arrived with a plan. After spending six years incarcerated, he had already begun laying the foundation for a career in IT, even teaching Microsoft Office Suite while inside. Upon reentry, he completed a 15-week bootcamp with Per Scholas to sharpen his skills. Technology seemed like the path forward.

The streets of Oakland, California, moved fast, especially for a boy like Arthur. Raised in a lively neighborhood filled with street football games, water balloon fights, and sweet trips to the local candy lady’s house, Arthur grew up surrounded by both joy and survival. It was a vibrant world, but one shaped by hardship. “The fast life catches up to you,” he reflects. “And sometimes, when your family is struggling, you feel like you don’t have a choice but to provide, however you can.”

Growing up in Harlem, New York City, Jalika spent much of her early life either in and out of foster care or living on her own. In a system rife with abuse and neglect, she says she learned many of the wrong lessons, but two of the right ones were how to survive and how to never give up.‍

Julia was a registered nurse for over 20 years before serving a five-year sentence in a Georgia state prison. When she came home to Atlanta last year, she expected challenges — but not to be locked out of the working world entirely.

When Darren walked out of prison five years ago, he carried little more than some paperwork and the will to survive. At 50 years old, he had spent most of his adult life in and out of the criminal justice system, but this time was different. Released during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Darren was sober, focused, and ready to rebuild from the ground up.