Tour de Five Keys

Introducing Heather Calomese Our New President

Every great tour starts with a prologue, a short, revealing stage that sets the tone for the miles ahead. Since joining Five Keys in June, Heather Calomese has spent her first month exactly that way: listening, learning, and building relationships across every corner of the organization before setting her pace. From special education teacher to public policy, Heather brings her career in the classroom and education leadership to her new role as President of Five Keys.

Here’s what won’t show up on her resume: Heather was a professional volleyball player in Austria, (where she had to learn German to communicate), a journalist in New York and a competitive volleyball player in college. She’s remained a lifelong athlete ever since, these days logging serious cycling miles through the
Bay Area today.

That background shows up throughout her career in how she leads: the discipline of daily training, the mental toughness to hold her composure under pressure, the instinct to read a room (or a peloton) in real time, and a deep, personal understanding of what it means to be part of a team where every rider’s position matters. In her own words: “I don’t shy away from complexity. I plan to lead with courage and remain focused on advancing the mission with both conviction and humility, building the structures and capacity Five Keys needs to grow, without ever losing what makes Five Keys so special.”

As she steps into the role of President, here’s an introduction to the person behind the title, her path, her philosophy, and what she hopes the Five Keys community will know about her.

The Prologue: Why Five Keys, Why Now

Heather’s career in education leadership, including roles with the Illinois State Board of Education and the California Department of Education, has consistently been shaped by a belief in the dignity, potential, and humanity of every person. Five Keys, she says, was a natural next move: a chance to trade the isolation of state government work for something with more immediate, human impact.

“Throughout my career in education and public service, I have been drawn to organizations that believe deeply in the dignity, potential, and humanity of every person,” says the Oakland resident. “I’ve worked adjacent to the work that Five Keys does for my entire career.  Being in public policy and state government is isolating at times, far removed from the individuals that it’s meant to impact. I was seeking a role that had a more immediate impact on individuals’ lives and I was also seeking to grow professionally. I like really challenging roles because I like
to push myself professionally. I find it really rewarding to be of service to others.”

Prior to joining Five Keys, Heather most recently served as Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer for EdVoice, a Sacramento-based education advocacy organization reshaping public education in California so that students from low-income communities have futures filled with opportunity. In that role, EdVoice and a coalition of supporting agencies helped achieve the passage of a landmark California early literacy law signed on October 9, 2025, that mandates evidence-based “science of reading” instruction, backed by a $200 million state budget investment for teacher training. She has also served as the Director of the Special Education Division for the California Department of Education, Executive Director of Special Education Services for the Illinois State Board of Education, and a Specialized Services Administrator for Chicago Public Schools.

From those roles she says she’s learned: “Leading large-scale systems requires fearless leadership, connection across sectors, relationships with key partners, and a willingness to pursue excellence in executing the vision and mission. It requires consistency, focus, regular time for reflection and feedback, course correction, and celebration. It requires content and technical expertise and supporting leaders and staff to bring a learner’s mindset and curiosity to their
work every day.”

Reading the Course

Before her years in state government and policy, Heather got her start in the classroom itself: as a special education teacher for Chicago Public Schools, and as an English and Special Education teacher for the Iowa City Community School District. That instinct for reading a room quickly, noticing what a student or family needed before they could name it, is something she’s carried into her first months at Five Keys.

“Deeply absorbing the institutional knowledge of the organization and its teams is my main priority, and establishing a shared operating rhythm built on trust,” she says. “There is so much to learn and lots of exciting work happening across the organization. I want to spend time observing, connecting, and learning.”

What’s struck her most is the sheer scope of the game Five Keys plays
across California.

“I have been incredibly struck by the sheer operational breadth and multi-layered impact of our ecosystem, from field operations like the LA Pit Stops to transitional employment and housing, schools, Home Free, and the E.A.T. Farm,” says Heather. “The absolute dedication of our teams to upholding the dignity of underserved populations at every single touchpoint is truly inspiring. Our work is about reducing barriers, and offering a compassionate first step toward long-term stabilization and career navigation.”

She’s also moved by “the sheer number of people the organization impacts every day, from a 75-year-old walking across the stage for a high school diploma, to residents obtaining permanent housing, and the level of investment Five Keys makes in our own employees.”

“This is the first organization that I have been part of that offers a variety of growth opportunities ranging from leadership to self-care. That’s a real investment and commitment to support our people to continue doing the great things they are doing on a daily basis.”

Five Keys leaders Heather Calomese and Dave Bates, VP of Engagement and Transitional Employment, celebrate with graduates at the Los Angeles graduation ceremony on June 18, 2026.

Holding the Wheel: It Takes a Community

Asked what from her special education and policy background she expects will carry into this role, she points to a few hard-won lessons.

“Relationships matter and relationships take time and should be built with intention,” says Heather. “No one individual can do this work alone, it takes a community effort, will, and skill to move the needle for real impact on the lives of people we serve. I have also learned to have pretty thick skin. Being in the roles in special education and policy that I have been in was not for the faint of heart. The work I’ve done and will continue to do at Five Keys requires facing challenges and finding solutions. Nothing is insurmountable. I’ve also learned that keeping the ‘main thing the main thing’ is important. The work that Five Keys does is about transforming lives and providing opportunities while keeping the work heart-centered and focused on improvements to the system. I’m also comfortable dealing with complexity and gray areas. This work is not black and white and
there is a lot of nuance to the work we do. Being laser-focused really matters.”

The Breakaway

Every so often, a rider attacks off the front alone — a long, grinding effort that only pays off if you’re willing to suffer for it. Heather has ridden that kind of breakaway before, leading advocacy behind California’s Golden State Teacher Grant alongside the literacy-equity work described above, work she describes as among the most demanding, and most meaningful, of her career.

“My belief that every human being deserves access to opportunities, resources, and support is what drives me every day. It’s a non-negotiable that we take care of each other,” she says. “That’s how real change happens.”

Scouting the Parcours

Heather grew up in St. Louis, MO and received her education at Concordia University Chicago — Educational Leadership and Administration, General; The University of Iowa — Master of Arts (M.A.), Special Education and Teaching, and The University of Iowa — Bachelor’s degree.

She launched her career as a reporter and editor in Iowa City and then at a small weekly paper in New York. While she enjoyed the newsroom, she didn’t see herself staying there long term. Education had always interested her, and she made the leap into special education through a program at the University of Iowa, a shift that’s shaped everything since. That early instinct for asking questions and reading a situation clearly still carries over into how she leads today: rigor, curiosity, and narrative alongside data.

“Data alone isn’t enough; we must use intentional narrative to illustrate systemic impact. Storytelling humanizes our work, shifting perspectives from cold compliance metrics to the lived reality of transformation and second chances.”

Special education became more than a career change. It became a community. Heather credits the students and families she’s served over the years with shaping who she is today, and says that drive to maximize independence for students and families, and to be of service to others, is exactly what she brings to this role.

“The students and families that I have served with over the years are always close to my heart and continue to drive my work.

These days her daily writing practice now centers on strategic vision, reflection, and staff communication. She firmly believes that data alone isn’t enough; we must use intentional narrative to illustrate systemic impact. Storytelling humanizes our work, shifting perspectives from cold compliance metrics to the lived reality of transformation and second chances.

Off the Bike

How do you like to unwind after a demanding week?

I’ve learned the hard way that self-care is non-negotiable for me. It varies,
but I usually can be found listening to music/vinyl, spending time with family and friends, spending time in nature, cycling throughout the Bay Area, at art museums (like the Museum of the African Diaspora), and relaxing at home. I like to keep things simple.

What’s your idea of perfect happiness?

Realizing my fullest potential as a human being. That means experiencing all that life has to offer. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, the joy, the not so joyful. Happiness to me is to experience the full spectrum of life and fulfill the highest version of myself.

Who’s a living person you admire, and why?

My mom (Heather’s dad passed away four years ago). She has been my biggest cheerleader and coach in life. She taught me the value of hard work, believing in myself, having a limitless mindset, and treating people well along the way. She was a computer programmer for the airlines in the 70s and 80s, which was rare for a woman, let alone a Black woman, at the time. She used to take me to work sometimes on the weekends and I would run around the computer room, where the mainframe computers were. She then transitioned to leading Human Resources departments later in her career and was always striving to be her best self and reach her potential. She is a fun person and a people person. She’s had some challenging roles in her career and I learned from her that even though the work is tough, bringing a sense of joy and optimism to the workplace is important. She has navigated so much in life and she continues to be a source of inspiration
to me today.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

Leading high-impact advocacy and policy teams that successfully redirected state-level resources to high-need schools and underserved communities, ensuring that systemic equity is built into structural budgets rather than treated as an afterthought. My greatest achievement was drafting legislation, working with state legislators and other agencies to pass literacy legislation that will impact every elementary school student in California. It was a grueling and highly fulfilling achievement. That work has shown me that we have the capabilities to change systems that haven’t worked for decades and that we can collectively solve tough issues in California.

Who are your favorite writers?

James Baldwin. Zadie Smith. ZZ Packer. Toni Morrison, to name a few.

Describe yourself in six words.

Grounded. Dedicated/committed. Hard-working. Joyful. Positive. Creative.

What are you most grateful for right now?

I am profoundly grateful for the warm, open welcome I’ve received from the entire Five Keys family, and for the opportunity to navigate this meaningful organizational chapter alongside such dedicated colleagues.

What’s next on your bucket list?

Travel. Another century cycling ride (100-mile ride) and practicing my vinyl/DJ skills. I’d love to DJ! 

Life & Work with Steve GOOD of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve GOOD.

Hi Steve, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

It started, improbably, with a Craigslist job posting.

In 2007, I wasn’t looking to transform Five Keys into one the nation’s largest second-chance organizations—I was simply looking for my next role. I had just finished a chapter as a middle school principal in San Francisco and had previously worked as an executive in a national education organization. Like many people at that stage in their career, I was ready for something new.
What I found was unexpected: a posting for a principal position at a school operating inside the San Francisco County Jail.

I had no experience working with incarcerated individuals or in adult education. My background was in traditional K–12 education. But something about the opportunity intrigued me—the idea of running a school inside a jail, in partnership with the Sheriff’s Department. It felt different. It felt meaningful.

So I took the job.

Then came the reality check.

Once I got a look at the organization’s finances, I remember turning to my wife and wondering if I had made a mistake. At the time, Five Keys was small—just 12 employees, one school site, and a budget of roughly $2 million. At home, I had young twins. Stability mattered.

But I had already committed. So I stayed.

What followed wasn’t a straight line. It was a steady expansion of both the work and the vision. When I first arrived, Five Keys wasn’t a second-chance employer. That became part of the work—intentionally building it into what is now one of the largest second-chance employers in the nation.

Today, Five Keys looks dramatically different. We operate with a $136 million budget and employ more than 1,200 people across California—about half of whom are formerly incarcerated. Our work spans 14 county jails, prison-based programs, more than 2,000 beds of supportive housing and shelter, and a broad range of workforce development and reentry services. We even operate a farm in Norco.
And yet, despite all that growth, I still think of us in very simple terms.

At our core, we are a workforce development organization. We take people coming out of jail and prison and provide real opportunities—training, living-wage jobs, and benefits like health insurance. We’re not just helping people get by—we’re helping them rebuild their lives.

In many cases, that transformation begins before release. Individuals enroll in our programs while still incarcerated, earn their high school diploma, transition through reentry support, and ultimately come to work for us. Some of our strongest staff started exactly that way.

It’s one of the things I’m most proud of.

Of course, none of this was built by one person. It reflects the work of an extraordinary leadership team, a deeply committed board, and the enduring vision of our founder, Sunny Schwartz.

That said, the work hasn’t always been easy.

In the early years especially, I heard a lot of skepticism. People would ask why we were investing in computers, education, and resources for individuals who were incarcerated when many families in the community were struggling to access
the same.

My answer has always been straightforward.

Everyone who is incarcerated is going to return to our communities. The question is: who do we want coming back?

Do we want individuals who have had the opportunity to grow, become employable, and rebuild their lives? Or individuals who have had no support and may return worse off?

For me, the answer is clear.

This work makes communities safer. It reduces crime. It saves millions of dollars in reincarceration costs. And it helps reunite families. Children of incarcerated parents are far more likely to end up in the system themselves—but when we interrupt that cycle, we change entire futures.

Today, we see that impact in the data. While recidivism rates can reach as high as 60 percent, outcomes for those connected to Five Keys are significantly lower—saving the state millions, if not billions, of dollars.

But beyond the numbers, it’s about something more fundamental.
It’s about transformation—of individuals, of families, and of communities.
What began as a simple job search has become a lifelong commitment to that idea. And I feel incredibly fortunate that I didn’t scroll past that posting.

Read the Full Article on VoyageLA

Aaron Rose’s Full-Circle Journey of Transformation, Leadership, and Empowerment

Aaron Rose’s journey is one of full-circle transformation. Growing up in San Diego, the Navy veteran later found himself bouncing in and out of prison for years after returning from deployment in Afghanistan with a severe case of PTSD that led him down a dark path.

“I found myself in a dark place and reached an emotional and spiritual crisis that, looking back, inspired me to change my life around,” says Aaron, 54.

His path led him to Five Keys Schools and Programs—not just as a participant in their Transitional Employment and Reentry Program, but eventually as a leader shaping its future. Drawing from his lived experience, Aaron has dedicated his career to helping others reclaim their lives through meaningful work, education, and second chances.

As Program Manager at Five Keys’ Transitional Employment in San Diego, Aaron oversees job training, placement, and reentry support for underserved communities, including veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and youth in transition. The program is part of the Community Action Partners Alliance (CAP), a partnership across Southern California, of organizations that provide education, housing, drug treatment, expungement, job development and a myriad of resources that help returning citizens as they adjust back into the community.

In 2024, Aaron and the Five Keys’ team in San Diego were nominated “Veteran Business Resource Provider of the Year” award for their work with connecting veterans and justice-involved community members with vital resources, offering invaluable career advice, and providing essential emotional support to help them successfully transition back to civilian life through the Back2Work program.

Here Aaron in his own words shares how his leadership is rooted in empathy, purpose, and the belief that no one should be defined by their past. Aaron’s work is more than professional—it’s personal. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of purpose-driven service.

Paths of Purpose: A Memoir

By Aaron Rose

From the beginning, my life has been about transformation—both my own and that of the communities I’ve been blessed to serve. Growing up in San Diego, I always had a sense that purpose was tied to service, though it took time—and trial—to discover exactly what that looked like.

My professional journey has been rooted in a desire to create systems of support for people who have often been overlooked: justice-impacted individuals, youth in transition, and those navigating the rocky paths of recovery. The work wasn’t just a job—it was a calling.

When I stepped into the role of Program Manager at Five Keys Transitional Employment, I wasn’t stepping into a title—I was stepping into a mission. Managing job training and placement for underserved populations meant more than logistics; it meant being a steady hand for people trying to find footing. I led a team of over 70 staff, built systems for invoicing for monthly services, upheld safety with education and training and developed workshops that reached crowds of more than 100 participants at a time. But behind every statistic was a story—someone ready to rewrite their own.

My role evolved. I began consulting with San Diego County, advocating for alternatives to incarceration—because I believe no one should be defined by their worst mistake. We built programs that leaned into rehabilitation over punishment and emphasized the humanity in second chances.

Before management, I was on the front lines. As a Transitional Coordinator, I worked side by side with those walking through some of life’s darkest corridors. I administered employment coaching, soft skills, substance abuse education, and cognitive behavioral therapy workshops—tools that turned setbacks into setups for change.

In my earlier days as a Crew Supervisor for justice-involved youth, previously incarcerated adults, and veterans, I showed up daily with my boots and a heart full of intention. We assessed worksites, ran safety briefings, and took pride in what we were building—pride, dignity, and skills for a future reimagined.

Over the years, I’ve invested in sharpening my own tools: earning certifications in Peer Support, OSHA compliance, leadership and development training, substance use disorder training, and more. But my greatest lessons didn’t come from classrooms—they came from conversations. They came from hearing someone say, “No one ever believed in me before,” and realizing I had the chance to change that.

This memoir isn’t just a reflection—it’s a reminder. That leadership means listening. Those programs need passion as much as they need process. And that the most powerful transformations often begin with the quiet courage to try again.

This is my journey—a journey of building bridges, removing barriers, and believing fiercely in the possibility of change.

From Darkness to Redemption: The Journey of Yadira Onefre

Ya Ya and Susan Bustamante at Home Free

When Yadira “Ya Ya” Onefre looks in the mirror today, she sees someone she never imagined she could become — a successful mission-driven 38-year-old with a career advocating and providing care for the unhoused in San Francisco. 

But behind her composed presence and warm smile is a painful past shaped by the trauma of abuse, tragedy, and ultimately, transformation. Yadira spent 13-and-a-half years behind bars in the California Institution for Women prison in Corona, CA and lost custody of her daughter permanently for a crime she did not commitment, but witnessed and failed to speak up.

“For years, I kept asking myself, ‘Why me?’’’ Yadira, now 38 says. “Why did I survive? Why did I let myself stay silent?”

To this day, she does not know the answer. But she does know that she is passionate about her role “helping others who don’t have a voice,” at a Five Keys shelter for the unhoused, Site 34, 685 Ellis Street, a former hotel, now transformed into a shelter for the unhoused.

After being released from prison, she spent months living at Home Free, a San Francisco-based transitional housing center on Treasure Island, and a trauma-informed reentry program for criminalized survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. She recently moved into an apartment, the first in her life, just blocks from the shelter. She’s also enrolled in Five Keys charter schools’ program, studying for her GED. College is next on her bucket list.

Shortly afterwards, Yadira was hired at the shelter as an ambassador and today works full-time, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. as care coordinator at the Five Keys transitional housing shelter checking in on the guests, making sure they are safe, fed, and offering a listening ear to those who often feel the destitution, hopelessness, and despair that once haunted her night and day.

“So many of these people face such hopelessness fighting addiction, poverty, and all kinds of challenges,” says Yadira. “I try to meet them where they are. And when I say I can understand their pain, I do. When I was in prison, all I could think is ‘I’m a lifer. This is it.’ I never believed there would be any hope, but look at me now.”

The Journey from Darkness to Redemption: That Was Then

Yadira was just 17 when she met the man who would alter the course of her life. At first, he seemed protective, older, and experienced — but it wasn’t long before his charm dissolved into control, isolation, and abuse. By 18, she was a mom and a drug user. By the time she realized how deeply trapped she was, it felt too late to escape. Then came the worst day of her life — and the beginning of a years-long journey toward redemption.

At the center of the case that would make headlines and sentence her to 19 years to life in prison without parole, was a five-year-old girl’s — her boyfriend’s daughter — who died as a result of his severe abuse. She was considered an auxiliary because though Yadira did not inflict the injuries herself, she was arrested, and later convicted for failing to report them. The law held her responsible for what she didn’t do — report.

That Was Then, This is Now

Prison, strangely, became the place where she began to heal. It was there, behind bars, that she was befriended by another inmate — Susan Bustamante,  who offered kindness without condition. That relationship planted the seed of hope.

“Susan gave me strength,” says Yadira. “She pulled me up. She told me my life wasn’t over," Yadira says. “And for the first time, I started to believe her.”

A Latina mother from East L.A., in many ways she saw Yadira’s pain, a mirror to her own — sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Susan was convicted of helping her brother kill her husband. The court claimed it was for a $50,000 insurance payoff. But Susan tells a different story. She recounts years of beatings, threats, abuse, chokings, humiliation and anguish, in between intense good times and the birth of two children.

“I remember seeing Ya Ya for the first time, this baby lifer, and thinking she is a younger version of me,” says Susan, who was released in 2018 and today is a reentry coach for Home Free.

When Yadira’s sentence was commuted, Susan was waiting to drive her across the state to Home Free.

“Ya Ya is one of the most determined, kind-hearted persons who wants to do right in the world and who wants to reach back and help others who are suffering,” says Susan.

For Susan and Home Free, Yadira says she will be eternally grateful.

It was the Five Keys Home Free transitional housing program that gave her a place to start again. “They didn’t just give me a roof,” she says. “They gave me a sense of possibility.”

 “I know what it’s like to be lost,” she says. “I also know what it’s like to find your way back.”

Today, she’s reunited with her family — something she once feared might never happen. There are still moments when the weight of the past knocks the wind out of her. But there are more moments now when she feels whole.

“I’ll always carry the sorrow of what happened,” Yadira says. “But I’m trying to honor that little child’s life by living mine differently — with purpose.”

Ya Ya and Susan Bustamante inside Home Free

FIVE KEYS SELECTED AS LOWE’S HOMETOWNS PROJECT and will renovate Oakland City Center Training and Meeting Hub

Lowe’s Hometowns projects demonstrate the power of improving community spaces to help address critical needs.

6.27.2025 – Originally founded in 2003 by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department as the first accredited charter high school in the nation to provide diploma programs for adults in county jails, Five Keys has proudly been selected as a Lowe’s Hometowns project, one of 100 community-nominated, large-scale renovations that will revitalize nonprofit and community spaces serving as hubs and heartbeats for hometowns. Now in its fourth year, Lowe’s Hometowns is the company’s five-year, $100 million commitment to repairing and restoring millions of square feet of community space.

The Lowe’s Hometowns grant will allow Designing Justice + Designing SpacesTM  (DJDS), a multi-disciplinary architecture and design firm, the chance to reimagine Five Keys Oakland City Center Training and Meeting Hub.  DJDS plans to harness the power of the built environment to support the success and expansion of restorative justice, education and workforce development programs instead of imprisonment, a design that will be seen through by the shared efforts of Five Keys staff and Lowe’s Hometown volunteers.  Blocks from the 12th Street/Oakland City Center, the hub sees over 1,100 participants annually for agency training in CPR/First Aid, overdose-reversing Narcan administration, career coaching, employment onboarding service, and more.  Five Keys hope that having a space intentionally designed for peacemaking and reparation by DJDS will afford many of our staff a healthier space to engage in the training and professional development that prepares them to provide the frontline housing service, program reentry case management, education to systems-impacted adult learners central to the agency’s core values of EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY.  

With help from Lowe’s red vest associates, across the country, Lowe’s Hometowns projects will help not only Five Keys, but they will also expand kitchen and serving capacity for food pantries, restore dignity to well-used transitional housing facilities, revitalize parks and gardens for neighbors to safely gather and build restorative spaces for first responders to rest between calls. 

Earlier this year, Lowe’s announced a promise to deliver 10 million square feet of impact to capture the immeasurable difference made when Lowe’s shows up to help, including initiatives like Lowe’s Hometowns. Visit Lowes.com/hometowns and follow #HowLowesHelps on social media for more details on 2025 projects.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Cullen, amyc@fivekeys.org and: PublicRelations@lowes.com

Inside and Out: Navigator Paves a Path of Hope and Transformation for Prisoners Reentering Society

Patrick Bayona and Joe Durant at the Five Keys 21st Anniversary Celebration

In his almost 14 years with Five Keys, Joe Durant has seen thousands of lives transformed—but few encounters impacted him as deeply as the day he first met Patrick Bayona. At the time, Joe was serving as the College Transition Manager, providing one-on-one educational case management to help students pursue college while still incarcerated. That’s when he met Patrick in the Reentry Pod at San Francisco County Jail 2—one of just ten men classified as violent offenders in the unit. Patrick was surviving the only way he knew how: through art. His drawings weren’t just creative expression—they were his lifeline, a way to reclaim identity and hope behind bars.

Joe was struck not just by the raw talent in Patrick’s pencil sketches, but by the resilience behind them. “I saw someone who just needed a hand in the right direction,” Joe recalls. And that’s exactly what he offered. Alongside other Five Keys educators, Joe became a steady source of encouragement, helping Patrick take his first steps toward something better when he was released from jail in 2022, connecting him with the opportunity to pursue his artistic talent.

Fast forward to Spring 2025.  Joe, 38, is now Assistant Director of Grants and Development. He happened to be visiting the Five Keys’ Embarcadero SAFE Navigation Center, and much to his surprise was reunited with Patrick. Patrick boasted about his upcoming graduation from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and his post as Activities Coordinator for the Navigation Center.

Thanks to the support of Joe and the broader Five Keys team, Patrick was awarded a full-ride scholarship to an art academy, made possible through a Five Keys partnership. The scholarship was contingent on Patrick’s success in completing a semester at Laney College in Oakland—a challenge he met with a 3.5 GPA.

“It was one of those moments where you realize—wow, what we’re doing really matters. It’s changing lives,” says Joe. “One of the most meaningful parts of my job is hearing our clients’ stories and helping them navigate systems that can feel impossible—financial hurdles, legal barriers, even the countless fees just to register for basic services. Parole paperwork, for example, has been shown to be more difficult to understand than a New York Times article, often leading to violations simply due to misunderstandings—violations that can send someone back to prison. My role is to walk alongside them, guide them through the process, and be their advocate.”

Navigating New Pathways

The dictionary defines a navigator as “a person who directs the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments and maps.”

To say that Joe is a navigator extraordinaire for the incarcerated and prisoners dreaming and then transitioning to re-entry is to understate.

“I cannot imagine the odds stacked against them,” says Joe. “In my current role I’m not behind the scenes in the jails as I used to be, but when I was there, I felt it was so important to be real with the clients. My job was to stand by their side to walk them through all the barriers and obstacles.”

To that end, as a navigator for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, Joe is a member of a network of change makers who are offering a promising approach to improving reentry outcomes. By providing personalized support and connecting prisoners with educational and vocational resources, Joe and other navigators play a critical role in reducing recidivism and helping ex-offenders successfully reintegrate into society.

Studies have shown that having a navigator can significantly improve the outcomes for ex-offenders. A study by the Urban Institute found that participants in a navigator-guided reentry program were more likely to be employed and less likely to be rearrested compared to those who did not receive such support.

Determined to Right Wrongs

Joe’s journey to becoming one of the most trusted figures in the fight for incarcerated individuals’ rights and opportunities didn’t start with a grand vision—it started with a deep curiosity and a fierce drive to right the wrongs he saw within the justice system.

His path to his current role in Development—where he works tirelessly to secure funding for Five Keys’ programs—began in his early collegiate years, shaped by both academic and personal experiences that ignited his passion for advocating for those impacted by incarceration. From college criminal justice studies to groundbreaking reentry programs, Joe's commitment to breaking the cycle of incarceration is a mission that has shaped his adult life.

While studying Criminal Justice at California State University, Chico, Joe dove headfirst into hands-on work through the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC)—one of the oldest undergraduate legal clinics in the country. It was here, as a paralegal intern in the Penal Law Project, that Joe began making visits to CDCR Solano, providing free legal information to incarcerated individuals. These early experiences opened his eyes to the systemic issues within the criminal justice system, particularly the racial inequities deeply embedded in California’s carceral policies.

“I saw how inefficient the system was and it just drove my passion to make change,” says Joe.

For Joe, the academic course Corrections acted as a critical turning point. It was in these classrooms and through his interactions with those on the inside that Joe solidified his commitment to becoming a voice and a resource for those impacted by the system. His experience with CLIC also fueled his desire to tackle the broader social issues of policy and systemic change. As he pursued his Master’s in Public Administration, Joe deepened his understanding of how political systems perpetuate cycles of injustice, culminating in a graduate thesis on corruption in California’s initiative process.

Joe’s path took a significant turn after graduate school when he joined the San Francisco Adult Probation Department, where he worked with clients in the Learning Center, helping them complete their high school diplomas and GEDs. It was here that Joe first connected with Five Keys, eventually beginning his work teaching independent study and digital literacy classes in San Francisco’s jails.

His role soon expanded into school administration, where he led efforts to overhaul Five Keys’ outdated transcript request system, improving access and efficiency for students and staff. He later served as the Transition Coordinator for Special Education, where he helped design and guide transition plans within students’ IEPs, ensuring connections to higher education, apprenticeship programs, and employment preparation services.

Joe and Steve Good, President and CEO of Five Keys, holding a proclamation from the Mayor of San Francisco declaring Five Keys Day at the 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Joe’s work within Five Keys expanded further when he became the College Transition Manager, leading efforts to build educational pathways for incarcerated students. His leadership in bringing college coursework into County Jail 5 and 2 helped numerous individuals earn up to 12 college credits per semester. His contributions extended beyond the jails when he played a pivotal role in connecting justice-impacted students to post-secondary retention programs, ensuring they had support networks that spanned the Bay Area. These efforts contributed to the creation of reentry pathways and opportunities, setting up incarcerated individuals for successful reintegration into society and success in higher education.

Despite these successes, Joe's work isn’t limited to just education—he has been a tireless advocate for reentry services. He was deeply involved in providing services for “A-Pod” (also known as the Reentry Pod), a reentry-designated housing unit at County Jail 2, aimed at providing wraparound services and close collaboration with probation officers to ensure successful reentry. Joe’s approach was holistic—offering job readiness training, digital literacy skills, and college enrollment and retention support, all geared toward helping individuals build a strong foundation for their future.

When the pandemic reshaped the world, Joe adapted quickly, transitioning into Development and Fundraising. In his current position as the Assistant Director of Government and Foundation Grants, he continues to channel his years of experience into securing funding for programs aimed at breaking the cycle of incarceration. His efforts have resulted in multi-million-dollar contracts that support Five Keys' expanding network of services, including educational programming, supportive housing, reentry services, and workforce development for justice-impacted individuals. Having worked directly with students and clients, Joe knows firsthand that the most powerful way to connect with funders is by sharing the real stories of transformation happening in the field—stories that illustrate not just need, but impact.

Believing in Second Chances

At his core, Joe’s work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a second chance—and sometimes a third, fourth, or more. In California, nearly 4 in 10 people released from prison or jail are reconvicted within three years, underscoring the urgent need for sustained support and multiple opportunities for success. He has seen firsthand how systemic inequities—such as racial discrimination, over policing of marginalized communities, underfunded education systems, and a lack of economic and educational opportunities—stack the odds against incarcerated individuals. This deep sense of injustice fuels his passion for systemic change and his commitment to the mission of Five Keys: education, employment, recovery, family, and community. Joe’s role has helped break down the barriers that many incarcerated individuals face, opening doors to new opportunities and new lives.

Now, as Assistant Director of Grants and Development, Joe is not just navigating the path of reentry for others—he’s paving the way for an entire community of justice-impacted individuals to thrive. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and the belief that everyone, no matter their past, deserves a chance to succeed.

Away from work, Joe lives in Chico with his wife, Maggie, and their Chihuahua, Hazel. He and Maggie first met while attending California State University, Chico, where they both graduated and remain proud alumni. There, the trio spend days hiking, attending concerts, and traveling. Plans are already underway for Joe’s 40th birthday in December 2026, with Maggie organizing a destination celebration abroad.

Maggie, Joe, and Hazel

“I feel very blessed to be part of the solution—and to play a role in helping others transform their lives. They’re the ones doing the hard work to rewrite their stories; we just help set the stage for their success. I have a lot to be grateful for and celebrate,” says Joe.

Vallejo Council approves Broadway Project, Navigation Center contracts

Read The Original Story from the Times-Herald, Here

The Vallejo City Council Tuesday approved contracts for operators of two homeless facilities, the Navigation Center and the Broadway Project, and allocated funding to both, bringing the long-delayed projects to the brink of fruition.

The council approved a lease and operator agreement with Shelter, Inc. and Firm Foundation Community Housing for the Broadway Project, and allocated $642,861 of Opioid Litigation Fund monies to the project. The council also approved a lease and operator agreement to Five Keys Schools and Programs up to $7,041,049 and $6,390,070 in operational funding for the Vallejo Homeless Navigation Center.

Vallejo’s Broadway Project, a 47-unit Permanent Supportive Housing Program that is located at 2441 Broadway Street, is about 90 percent complete. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)

After years of massive delays and a raft of problems with both facilities, the Broadway Project is 99 percent complete and the Navigation Center is slated to open in two weeks. The Broadway Project will offer 47 permanent supportive housing units, and the Navigation Center, with 125 beds, is expected to serve about 200 people experiencing homelessness annually.

Members of the public and the council expressed some optimism along with concerns about issues including accountability and, in the case of the Navigation Center, the “tight” budget’s effect on staffing ratios.

“I’m really concerned about this budget,” said Council Member Tonia Lediju. The council member is chief executive of the San Francisco Housing Authority. “If we say we have two care coordinators, the ratio is 1 to 25 case managers to beds,” the council member said. She was referring to the fact that the center will have 125 beds and two case managers.

“While I agree the budget is really tight … we really feel we can do a good job” with the proposed budget, Elyse Graham, chief operating officer of Five Keys, said in response. “There are two care coordinators and a care coordinator supervisor.”

Eight members of the public weighed in on the agenda item, with at least one speaker agreeing with the council members, noting, “(The center) has to be adequately staffed.”

After considerable discussion, the council decided to accept the budget proposed by city staff, keep an eye on the situation and revisit the staffing issue if necessary.

“They are going to open in two weeks and they can assess whether there’s more staff needed,” said Councilmember Alexander Matias. Councilmember Helen-Marie Gordon added, “Approve as is, and if they need more staff they can come back and do an amendment to the contract.”

The council voted unanimously to approve the Five Keys contract and allocate the funding, which covers the present until June 3, 2027, as proposed.

The council also voted to approve a lease and operator agreement with Shelter, Inc. and Firm Foundation for the Broadway Project. In the first of a two-step process, the council voted to allocate $642,861 of Opioid Litigation Fund monies to the project. The council must vote again at a future meeting to give final approval.

Before winning approval from the council, the Broadway Project came in for even more rigorous scrutiny than the Navigation Center.

The project is 99 percent complete, “very close to coming to fruition,” said Natalie Peterson, assistant to the city manager, in a presentation. “Full lease-up will be within 90 days of completion of construction. We are just waiting for elevator inspection and final emergency inspection” for completion of construction.

The presentation included a few bits of all-too-familiar background: Originally budgeted at $9 million, the project cost ballooned to $27 million, with $558,000 in overruns.

“In your last meeting, council requested that we bring all the gaps known so you can get the full picture,” Peterson said. The gaps: a $358,287 construction gap, a construction contingency of $200,000, 90-day operations until vouchers awarded $219,213, start-up operations gap for supplies including security cameras, $351,862, start-up contingency $17,593.

“The total gap is $1.45 million. The total without the contingencies is $929,000. We have a proposal to use opioid funds, but assuming those are awarded there is approximately $300,000 unfunded,” Peterson said.

“Firm Foundation through their partnerships in the community has secured $175,000” toward covering the gap, the assistant to the city manager added.

Referring to the $351,862 start-up operations gap for supplies including security cameras, Vice Mayor Peter Bregenzer asked, “How did we build a $27 million building and not plan on security cameras and furniture? I’m baffled that we’re at this point asking for more money.”

Bregenzer continued, “I remember previous presentations where you talked about developer fees, I think it was like $400,000 the developer gets as part of this project?”

Peterson responded, ”It’s about $250,000 or $300,000 remaining to pay. That will go to Firm foundation, that’s the developer.”

The vice mayor asked, “Why are we paying developer fees and giving them bonuses? Whenever we have issues with funding they all sit on their hands and do nothing to raise money while we have to come up with more taxpayer money to pay for these projects. Can we stop those developer fees from going to the developer and have them go toward the deficit?”

Assistant City Manager Gillian Haen pointed to the $175,000 raised by Firm Foundation, which did not satisfy Bregenzer.

“The $300,000 is that unfunded gap you’re mentioning,” the vice mayor said, referring to the fact that even after appropriating the $642,861 of opioid funding to the project, there was still a $300,000 funding gap.

Five community members spoke during the public comment period, with former Vice Mayor Mina Loera-Diaz saying, “I am familiar with the mechanic’s liens filed against the project and we, the council, were not notified until almost a year later. Loera-Diaz said that early on, “staff assured the council and the community that the project would be fully funded – and we went millions and millions over budget.”

Agreeing with an earlier suggestion by Councilmember J.R. Matulac, Mayor Andrea Sorce recommended having frequent regular updates on the projects “to make sure we don’t have anything like what the former vice mayor expressed, where there’s a lien and we find out a year later.”

The council passed a motion funding the lease and operator agreement with Shelter, Inc. and Firm Foundation for the Broadway Project, allocating opioid fund litigation monies to the project in the amount of $642,860.94 minus the fund balance of the developer’s fee, “with monthly updates to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), commission quarterly updates in person to HCD as well as the City Council.”

Sorce was the lone “no” vote, with the council members all voting in favor.

Read The Original Story Here

Originally Published: June 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM PDT

Passports to the Future: Five Keys Educator Pulls from His Own Experience to Inspire Others to Change Their Lives

View fullsize

Timothy presented at the Five Keys 2023 NorCal Graduation Ceremony

On a sunny April afternoon in Menlo Park, CA, Timothy Long was seated at his desk when a student unexpectedly stopped by.

“Hey dude, I’m glad you came by—I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day,” Timothy said with a big smile. “We’re going to get you your high school diploma. There was a mix-up with some paperwork, but I got it taken care of. YOU ARE GRADUATING—and you’ll be at the ceremony. Congratulations!”

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” the student said, his face lighting up.

Timothy, now 54, knows that feeling all too well. The words “You are graduating” carry a weight that he understands deeply. At just 19 years old, Timothy was sentenced to four consecutive life terms in California for crimes he committed as a teenager. He would spend 26 years incarcerated. But even behind bars, he held onto one unshakable truth: education was his key to transformation.

“I knew I had to change,” he says. “Education became my path to mental freedom and personal success—even if I never saw freedom outside of prison.”

After earning his high school diploma while incarcerated, Timothy didn’t stop. He launched a GED program at San Quentin and began tutoring others. Over time, he earned three associate degrees—in general education, business, and science—and a Specialist I and II certification in Alcohol and Drug studies. He also helped co-found a college program inside Ironwood State Prison. His educational journey included Mt. Tamalpais College at San Quentin, Palo Verde College, and Coastline Community College.

Hard Work, Dedication, and the Drive to Change

Eventually, the parole board took notice.

“I was lucky,” Timothy reflects. “The parole board saw that I was not the same kid who committed those crimes over a quarter century ago. They also recognized that I chose the education route to change myself and those around me. As a result, I was granted parole and sent to a halfway house, and that’s where I learned about Five Keys.”

He started as a volunteer tutor. Nine years later, he’s now the Assistant Director of Community Sites for the South Bay, overseeing nearly 270 students across three sites. His work focuses on education, employment, social justice, housing, and building stronger communities.

“I want to help people who feel lost, whether they’re unhoused, battling addiction, or still in custody,” says Timothy. “I know from experience that life can get better. Education is the great changemaker.”

View fullsize

Timothy lives by this quote. It’s the foundation of his life’s work—using education to turn hopes and dreams into tangible progress.

A Life Rebuilt—and Shared

Since his release, Timothy has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and is currently pursuing his MBA in Organizational Leadership online through Southern New Hampshire University.

He also gives back by volunteering at San Quentin, where he plays forward on a volunteer basketball team, Team Bitterman, competing against incarcerated teams like the San Quentin Kings.

Reflecting on his past, Timothy recalls the turning point:

“I was 19 when I was initially incarcerated and told I would never get out,” he says. “But when my grandmother passed away about ten years into my sentence, and I couldn’t say goodbye—that changed me. That’s when I decided I wanted to become a better son, brother, and person.”

During his incarceration, Timothy befriended Glenn, a man nearly 70 years old who had spent over four decades in prison. Glenn needed to earn his GED to be considered for parole.

“Glenn and I worked together on math every day.  I assisted him in understanding the language of math and the associated questions.” Timothy recalls. After a month or so, Glenn took the math test and passed. He got his GED, and soon after, he was granted parole.”

To this day, Timothy remains in touch with Glenn.

Writing the Next Chapter

Outside of work, Timothy enjoys long walks with his two dogs, Blu and Dino, and is currently writing a memoir.

View fullsize

When asked about his bucket list, he smiles. “I spent enough time ‘on vacation’ in a cell. Now I’m all about working, building a better community, and being a son my mom is proud of.”

View fullsize

His message to others is simple yet powerful:

 “Whether you’re incarcerated or just stuck in a dark place in your life, this can be your new chapter. You can change. Things can get better.”

Speaking to students at a Mt. Tamalpais College alumni event, Timothy shared:

“Education helped me find my moral compass. Accountability and integrity is everything. How you think and act in custody will shape your decisions and actions when you are out of prison.”

Timothy Long’s story is proof that education doesn’t just open doors—it rebuilds lives.

View fullsize

Timothy at the Five Keys 21st Anniversary Celebration on April 24, 2025

From Solitary Confinement to Second Chance: Finding God, New Direction, After Divine Encounter in Prison

We’re all just love and I think love is more important than anything.

When the heavy steel door clanged shut, Ernest Douglas Brown found himself in a small, windowless 8 ft × 10 ft room with minimal furnishings — a concrete ledge for sleeping, a steel sink/toilet combination, and two concrete cubes serving as a desk and chair. He was kept in isolation for up to 23 hours a day and under constant surveillance — a crucible, raw, brutal, and dehumanizing.

For Ernest, solitary confinement in the “SHU,” (Solitary Confinement Housing Unit), at Corcoran State Prison, followed more than 25 years of being shuttled between a handful of maximum-security prisons throughout California. It is infamous for housing some of California’s most notorious gang members and criminals including Charles Manson. Ernest was convicted at 31 for the first-degree attempted murder, and three council assault battery.

“When I got locked up there, I was angry. I was lost. I was done,” Ernest, 61, recalls. “I had lost all hope. I kept asking myself, ‘how did I get here among the worst of the worst?”

But something happened.

He spotted a Bible, the only thing in his cell — but he ignored it for days. Until one day he picked it up “I had nothing left,” he says. “I kept hearing my mom’s words, ‘to listen to the word of God,’ but I never wanted to hear them when I was young and made so many bad choices. I noticed the pages were sticking together and realized I was crying, sobbing the whole time. I kept wiping away my tears and reading.”

Called to a New Mission:

“We’re all just love and I think love is more important than anything.”

That Bible became a lifeline. Page by page, he felt something stir — “I felt something moving, an unfamiliar warmth, a sense of being seen. I promised God that if I ever got out, I would change my life through hell and high water.”

Fast forward to today.

Ernest and Five Keys Supporter Roma Guy (renowned American LGBT- and women’s rights activist) at the Five Keys 21st Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser

Years of introspection, prayer, and personal transformation eventually led to Ernest’s release.

“For me freedom didn’t just mean walking out of prison, it meant becoming free inside,” says Ernest.

Today, Ernest works full-time jobs — Five Keys’ Mission Cabins dedicated to supporting those who are unhoused or transitioning from prison, people who much like him, had been discarded by society.

As a Five Keys’ Ambassador at Mission Cabins, 1979 Mission St., he works 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. helping individuals find shelter and stability, offering them not just a roof over their heads but also a sense of dignity and hope. Mission Cabins is a tiny-home village built for the unhoused and those transitioning out of incarceration. The program, a joint effort Five Keys and San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness, includes private cabins with support services and compassion for about 60 to 65 guests.

“Mission Cabins is a place where we  care about each other, where people feel safe and someone will speak to you like your matter,” says Ernest, who lives in a studio apartment in downtown San Francisco and is saving to buy his first house. “It’s a place where people who were once hopeless like me can realize that anything is possible.  We’re all just love and I think love is more important than anything.”

Living a Prayer

Most days, he mans the front gate security, spends the day making wellness checks among the residents of the 60 tiny cabins and stationed at the cafeteria. The position alternates when thensupervisor needs rotation.

“Most times the people here just need someone to listen to them, to care,” says Ernest. “I love my job because I get to do that. It’s like I’m living a prayer. I get to truthfully say, ‘Hey man, I’ve been there. I’m just like you and see and feel your pain. But, I’m also proof that you can change your life around. Today I have a nice apartment, I’m building my credit and I’m clean and not selling drugs. They know I know what I’m talking about and they know I am there that I really do care.”

Ernest speaking at the Five Keys 21st Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser

From Isolation to Inspiration

His transformation — from isolation to inspiration — isn’t unique, but it is rare and testimony to the work Five Keys does every day to support individuals striving to turn their lives around. He shares his story openly, not to glorify his past, but to point to the power of redemption.

Ermest grew up one of two sisters and eight brothers in Seaside, California, a city located in Monterey County on the Central Coast of California. the son of a minister. His parents divorced and he says his teenage life started spiraling down the wrong path.

 “It all just started as a rebelling teenager who thought he had enough of God and went against his parents. It started with smoking, drinking and all led to the awful day when myself who was under the influence has a disagreement with other individual that led up to a crime.”

He adds: “I realize how immature I was and not the person I am today,” says Ernest. “Sometimes I ask, ‘why, why, why?” But now I have made it my manifesto to help others and have left that lifestyle behind.”

When he is not at work, Ernest spends time with his girlfriend, a restaurant owner he met while scouring the streets of San Franscisco for the unhoused who could use his help.

“I’m all about trying new things,” he says.  From dirt biking to tasting new cuisines, he says he is determined to find the “wow” in every day. “I am keeping my promise to the higher power to live life straight, honestly and kindly. I see my role in life to love and spread that love to the people who need it most.”

Freedom Warrior: After almost 25 years in prison, a California woman now fights for incarcerated women, youth

Just three months after being released from prison, Trancita Ponce, 43, is pouring her heart into a new chapter of her life — giving back to those who need it most.

After spending more than half of her life behind bars, Trancita was released on Oct. 22, 2024 from the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA. She says that because of Five Keys’ Home Free, a Treasure Island-based trauma-informed reentry program for recently-released women, she quickly found a job.

Now, she’s working full-time as an ambassador for Five Keys’ Navigation Centers in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, where she’s dedicating herself to helping unhoused individuals rebuild their lives. Trancita also is an ambassador for Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition, a team of formerly and currently incarcerated women who advocate tirelessly for the rights of women behind California’s prison walls. She’s also got ambitious plans to continue volunteering in a role she held in prison, helping incarcerated youth adjust to prison life. The program the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) Youth Division Program, helps instill in the young inmates a respect for the law, themselves and their communities.

 “I wrote a program for youth that I am going to introduce out there very soon,” says Trancita. “I’m determined to live out my life with purpose. I wasted so much time and now I am determined to give back every moment.”

To say Trancita has hit the ground running is to understate.

Employment as Catalyst: Economic mobility and Reduced Recidivism

Her journey speaks volumes about the power of employment to create economic mobility for the vulnerable population of returning citizens. With the unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated at over 27% — higher than the total U.S. unemployment rate during any historical period, including the Great Depression. Formerly incarcerated individuals are 24% less likely to return to prison if they acquired new skills and held a job during incarceration. Additionally, those who are unable to maintain employment experience a recidivism rate of 52% over three years, whereas their peers who maintain employment for one-year post-release experienced a recidivism rate of just 16%.

From Struggles to Strength: Overcoming Adversity and Transformation

Trancita’s journey is one of profound transformation. Born in Riverside County, she grew up in a small town called Perris, CA, just 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, she was one of eight children in a home where addiction and instability were constant. Her parents, both heroin addicts, were frequently in and out of prison, and by the age of seven, Trancita had already experimented with drugs. By 10, she was selling cocaine, and by thirteen, she joined a gang.

Her teenage years were marked by trauma — sexual abuse, violence, and ultimately, the loss of her freedom when she became a ward of the state. She spent her adolescence in juvenile hall, surrounded by crime and chaos. At 18, Trancita’s addiction to methamphetamine had consumed her life.

Her downward spiral led her to prison for a gang-related beating.

“Looking back,” she says, “I realize I was taking out my own trauma and doing to the victim what had once been done to me.”

Over the next 16 years, she was moved from facility to facility — Valley State Prison, the California Institution for Women (CIW), and eventually the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) — but in every place, she remained trapped in addiction and destructive behavior.

“I was in such a dark place,” Trancita recalls. “I was a heroin addict, ‘dope sick.”

From Darkness to Light: “I believe in you.”

Until one day when she says she experienced “my spiritual awakening.”

“I was lying on my cell floor crying, begging God to help me,” she says. “I sobbed for hours, pleading for something to change. I was considered a program failure by the system and there was no chance for me to qualify for any of the special prison programs to help turn my life around.”

It was in that darkest moment she discovered God and began to rebuild her life from the inside out.

Then, one of the prison correctional captains approached her and said, “I can help you. I am starting an alternative program in 30 days and I want you to be in it. I will keep my word. I believe in you.”

“Those four words changed my life,” says Trancita.

Through faith and perseverance, Trancita got sober and worked tirelessly to overcame her past, finding healing and purpose where once there was only pain.

Today, her story is a testament to the power of redemption and the unshakable strength of the human spirit.

Moving Forward: Finding New Hope at Home Free

Today, Trancita is brimming with plans for the future. As an ambassador for Five Keys, a groundbreaking nonprofit, supporting over 25,000 at-risk and in-risk individuals across California, she says, “I feel I’m really living out my purpose. Through the Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition I’m working with other women who are dedicated to demanding transformation, helping women in prison hold hope, and push forward toward a future where safety and justice belong to all of us.”

During the winter holidays, she also reunited with all of her brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews at a week-long of gatherings at her brother’s home in Riverside County.

The Amazon trucks that pull up with deliveries — an Apple Watch, a Ninja blender, clothing, toiletries, and everything she needs for her transition — at her Home Free apartment are testament to the compassion and caring her family is wrapping her in.

“It is the simple things, like standing on a lawn, holding a fork and napkin, (instead of plastic and paper), having a key… It is overwhelming… It just reminds me every day that God is good.”

These days she’s focused on her job and volunteer work. But she says she’s also looking forward to one day soon a shopping trek to a Dollar Tree store, going to Disneyland, and riding a ferris wheel.