Participant Stories

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.

Terrell's job coaches at CEO connected him with SLA Inc., an advanced training program offering a pre-apprenticeship in landscaping through a local union. An eight-week program that teaches people the ins and outs of their mission to beautify urban areas through hands-on experience and classroom instruction, SLA Inc. helped Terrell become a state-approved and OSHA-certified apprentice, ready and eligible for well-paid union work. And when he completed the program, SLA Inc. recognized his ability and potential by giving him a job.

Just eleven months after his release from prison, Josh is succeeding by sheer determination. He has a full-time job, is enrolled in school with a 4.0 GPA, is sober, and is on a path to helping others. But Josh’s journey has not been easy. “I’ve been working since I was a kid, but when I got out, no one would hire me because of my criminal background, and that made things tough because I didn’t have any family left,” says Josh.

When G’Andre reflects on his childhood, the joyful memories come first—gatherings with family, adventures with friends, and rollercoaster days at Six Flags. Though born in Chicago, he was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he once dreamed of becoming a doctor or surgeon who could heal others and provide for his family.

Leon is wholeheartedly committed to building a career in construction. Despite the rigorous demands he faces daily on the job, he continues to push forward. As a newly accepted and paid apprentice with the Buffalo Local 210 Labor Union, Leon trains under the guidance of an experienced journeyman, learning the complexities of both physical and technical labor in real time.

Ashely, a 34-year-old single mother of two boys from Pomona, California, grew up in a typical middle-class family. She was a cheerleader in school and spent summers playing basketball with friends. But returning home from incarceration presented a reality far different from her youth. Reentry was never going to be easy, but giving up was never an option.

At the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), we know that the path home after incarceration is never walked alone—and for many, it’s shaped by the deep, enduring bond between parent and child. This Father’s Day, we asked a few of the fathers in our CEO community to reflect on their experiences.

I had to grow up fast. At 16, I went from playing third base for my middle school team to what we called the Gladiator Camp. We gave it that name because every day felt like a battle. Fighting wasn’t mandatory—but if you backed down, you became prey.

Known affectionately as “Rainbow,” Amy has walked through some of life’s darkest valleys and emerged with clarity, resilience, and a passion for helping others find their light. Originally from Hazard, Kentucky, she now works as a job coach at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Cincinnati, where she once stood as a participant herself.