I’m reaching out with something close to my heart. As you may know, I spent years facilitating group work inside prisons, and along the way I’ve met people who have forever changed me. One of those people is my dear friend, John — someone I met while he was incarcerated for almost 30 years, beginning when he was just 19. He was never expected to come home, but thanks to Governor Newsom commuting his sentence, he walked free seven months ago and has been rebuilding his life with extraordinary courage, integrity, and commitment.


Since coming home, he’s done more than most people could imagine. He survived an extremely difficult transitional housing situation. He found a place to rent here in San Diego. He’s working part-time for a nonprofit. And he is currently a graduate student at USD in the Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership program — after already earning his bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine while inside. His dedication to learning, healing, and giving back is unmatched. When I facilitated groups inside, he was one of the most supportive, grounded, and compassionate participants in the room — someone who made everyone else’s transformation possible. Truly, he’s one of the best examples of what successful reentry can look like.


And still… he’s struggling. Not because he’s doing anything wrong — in fact, he’s doing everything right. He’s applied for several full-time jobs and has repeatedly been told he is highly qualified, but can’t be hired because he is still on parole — even by organizations working in the reentry space, which honestly breaks my heart. He’s holding onto himself with so much courage and grace, staying committed to his education, to his healing, and to making the most of his new freedom. I believe deeply in his future. And I believe that, together, we can come alongside him in a meaningful way. A little support at the right moment can change the entire trajectory of someone’s life. I truly think this is one of those moments. He is an exceptional human being, and I feel lucky to call him a friend. He’s also an open book and loves connecting with good people. If you’d like to meet John, I’d be more than happy to arrange a Zoom call — and of course, I’d love the chance to catch up with you too. I’m sharing this with you because you have a beautiful heart, and something tells me this might speak to you. Thank you for even considering it.