Join the Journey: Empower Melissa's Transformation

At the young age of 16, Melissa's life took a dark turn, leading her down a path entangled in gang activity and ultimately facing a daunting 21-year prison sentence. Yet, within the confines of those walls, she discovered an indomitable spark of resilience that changed the trajectory of her life.

In the shadows of adversity, Melissa immersed herself in self-help groups, conquering anger management, parenting, and communication skills. Driven by a hunger for knowledge, she earned her GED and not one, but two AA degrees – one in Communications and another in Behavioral and Social Science. The challenges of prison life were myriad, but Melissa persevered, even mastering basic coding through a program called The Last Mile.

Covid disrupted her coding journey, but Melissa embraced new opportunities, training as a firefighter and gaining valuable skills and discipline. Hope shone through with the passage of Prop 57, enabling her to earn time off, and The Anti-Recidivism Coalition provided crucial support in housing and employment. Melissa secured a job as an inter-office assistant, refining her communication and organizational skills.

The journey was far from easy. Job searches proved challenging, and homelessness loomed again. Yet, through the struggle, Melissa discovered the most valuable lesson – resilience. With perseverance and faith, she secured an apartment and a meaningful job at LeadOn with Justice Impact, where her passion for reentry work was ignited. Now, she's honing her tech skills with CROP, preparing for a career in technology and reentry, where she can empower others as she was once empowered.

However, the road ahead holds its share of challenges. Melissa's lifeline to work and opportunity, her car, has broken down, leaving her without reliable transportation. Your support is instrumental in overcoming this hurdle. The funds raised will be used for a down payment on reliable car. A reliable car is not just a machine; it's a key to unlocking Melissa's potential and contributing to society.

Your donation, no matter the size, will bring Melissa closer to her dream of building a fulfilling future, not only for herself but for others she aspires to inspire. By supporting Melissa, you are not just helping one person – you are investing in a future where second chances become bridges to success and reintegration becomes a path to transformation.

Join us in supporting Melissa's journey to rebuild a life fueled by resilience. Together, we can make a lasting impact on her path to a brighter future.

Donate Now and be a part of Melissa's inspiring story of triumph over adversity.