From Juvenile Substance Use to a Future Filled with New Possibilities
Coming home after time in a juvenile facility can feel like a fresh start. Or it can feel overwhelming. The people, places, and routines that shaped your life before incarceration may still be there. So can the pressures that led [...]
When the Streets Feel Like Your Only Option, There Is Another Way
Gang involvement and gang violence often starts with the search for belonging, protection, or a way to get by. No matter where you are today, your story is not finished. Another path is possible. If you're reading this, you or [...]
The Second Act Blues: Starting Over at 56
James grew up in a family where love was conditional, exchanged for obedience or performance. There were material comforts, boats, houses, all the trappings of plenty, but warmth was in short supply. His parents, meant to be a safety net, [...]
How Far Would You Go Just to Fit In? When Peer Pressure Gets Real.
For a lot of young people, saying no can feel suspect. Often, it’s not about wanting to break the rules, but about not wanting to be the one who stands out and gets picked on. Maybe you go along with [...]
Unsung Confessions: Forgiving the Father She Discovered in Jailhouse Songs
Sonja grew up in a home shaped by absence, the kind that leaves its mark on everything. Her father spent most of her childhood in prison. By the time he was released, Sonja was already a teenager, skilled at guarding [...]
Helpful Advice for Children with Incarcerated Parents
Life changes fast when a parent is taken away. Maybe you’re a child trying to keep it together at school, or an adult trying to explain the unexplainable to a young person you love. No one gets a manual for [...]
A Rough Start, A Brighter Future: Armando C.’s Story
Armando C. grew up facing challenges that weighed on him from a young age. He describes his early years as rough, full of missteps and hard lessons that stayed with him until he was twenty. He doesn’t like to dwell [...]
Money Post-release: Real-world Tips to Help You Build Your Financial Life After Prison
Part 6: Build for the Future: Credit, Savings, and Confidence After Prison Starting over is often a day-to-day goal. But once you’ve laid the groundwork with by creating a budget and figuring out how to manage debt, it’s time to [...]
Money Post-release: Real-world Tips to Help You Build Your Financial Life After Prison
Part 5: What Is a Scam? How to Stay Safe and Avoid Rip-Offs After Prison It’s tough enough rebuilding your life after prison without someone trying to scam you. But the truth is, scammers and rip-off artists often target people [...]
