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Upon his release, John moved into a transition house where one of the biggest challenges was not having food or clothes. Residents were required to take care of their own necessities, and most of his housemates had food assistance from CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for people with low income.

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.

When Victor was released after 41 years inside, he moved into a transitional house and started to rebuild. Reentry wasn’t easy – he had no job, no food or clothes, and little support. But one crucial lifeline that helped him survive during this time was California’s food assistance program, CalFresh. This federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a safety net for those facing economic hardship, and it saved Victor.

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.

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.