Connection, Hope, Purpose, and Empowerment Define Travis Rapp’s Lived Experience Reentering the Community
“It’s the everyday things, like being able to open a door, that bring me such joy.”
Like many people who are incarcerated, Travis Rapp struggled with anger, pain, and hopelessness during the 16 years he spent in a maximum security California prison, almost a decade in isolation.
Travis was 21 when he was charged with first-degree burglary and sentenced to 15 years at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, CA, “designed to house the worst-behaved, most problematic,” of all the state’s inmates. For nine years, he was confined to a 6.5-foot-by-11-foot room with just a bed, sink, and toilet. Meals were served through a slot. The exercise consisted of four hours a week in a gated dog-run-like cage in the outside yard.
Fast forward to today. Travis, 37, is just two years out of prison. He’s a lead supervisor for five of Five Keys’ employment and reentry crews, (about 50 employees) rising through the ranks from his first job on the CAL Crew, which works to repair, remove litter, control vegetation, repair storm damage and erosion and other highway beautification projects in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Joaquin counties. He clocks in at 6:45 a.m. and out at 3:15 overseeing worker safety, the vans, hiring, data sheets, payroll and recruiting.
“Travis is a natural leader, a standup guy who is also humble and was not afraid to start at the bottom and work his way up,” said Jalonn Harrison, Assistant Director/Transitional Work Programs for Five Keys. “He’s stepped up to every opportunity and given his best. He’s an amazing role model for all that a person can make it through anything. He’s all about the power of hard work and determination.”
In February he was released from parole.
Travis is married to Lenna, a hairstylist, who shares his passion for trekking through California highways on weekends on their motorcycles. They live in an apartment in West Los Angeles with their two cats, Brodie, and Bob Cat, and have a bucket list of travel plans from Greece to Japan, to France and around the globe.
The first place he and his wife went upon his release from prison: The Claim Jumper restaurant “for a big old juicy steak.” He’s proud to say he’s taken up cooking, “mostly steaks,” he admits.
“But it’s the everyday things, like being able to open a door, that bring me such joy.”
His new adventure is all about taking risks and creating a dream life. But he doesn’t forget the suffering and longing that defined his years in prison.
As the years rolled by in prison, Travis was visited by the prison chaplain three times, each to tell him about the death of one of his grandparents.
Travis studied and earned his General Educational Development (GED) degree, classes in Excel and Microsoft, trade school auto mechanics certificate, soaked up as much history as possible, books about Napoléon, the Saxons and jotted down motivational quotes that became his lifeline and guiding light: “You gain strength through struggle,” and “In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.”
“I was a lifelong troublemaker who knew I had to turn my life around and that moving forward, the key would be who I surround myself with, he said.
Travis says he just kept telling himself: “Push forward, you can’t let it break you. Work, just work.”
Never underestimate the power of community.
In 2022, Travis was transferred into Los Angeles’ Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP), a reentry multi-tenant apartment complex that provides programs and tools necessary to transition from custody to community. Monitored with an ankle bracelet, Travis discovered Five Keys and its innovative transitional employment program.
His break was being hired by Five Keys on the Cal Crew. Through the Five Keys Transitional Employment and Reentry programs, people like Travis receive robust support to help them find permanent employment, progress along educational pathways, or enroll in progressive job training. Job readiness workshops, reentry support, access to high school completion, and hosted resource groups are provided.
“Travis is an extraordinary leader in that he takes the initiative to do things he sees need to be done instead of waiting for someone to suggest it,” said Dave Bates, VP of Transitional Employment & Reentry. “Travis forecasts what needs to be done and he gets it done. That is what you want in a leader.”
These days Travis is also passionate about giving back, reaching out to help others “get the second chance I did.”
There is a sorrow that continues to burrow in his heart. His best buddy in prison, a forty-something guy named Christophe, is sentenced to life without parole. “We were in solitary together and could only talk between the walls,” says Travis. “These days I can call and write him, but it’s hard because I am out and there is a guilt there and sadness. He got me through so much and is my best friend. Isn’t it weird, I have a best friend I never got to even shake hands with and probably never will. It’s rough. I feel very remorseful.”
How Commissioner Amerika Sanchez Advocates for Her Community
Donovan Gomez | February 28, 2023 | sfpuc.org
As a Commissioner of the Southeast Community Facility, Amerika Sanchez helps make critical decisions on behalf of her community. Commissioner Sanchez is a proud resident of the Bayview and loves giving back to her community. She also serves as the Principal for Five Keys Charter Schools and Programs, an anchor tenant in the Southeast Community Center.
Commissioner Sanchez advocates for her students and their families to learn more about the career options available in the utilities industry. “Even as an adult, you can go back to school or receive specialized training to start a new career path. Many careers in the utilities industry allow for transferable skills; in addition, there are also local organizations that target workforce development in the utilities industry,” she said. “It is never too late to learn and reinvent yourself!”
She goes on to explain the importance of exposing her students to career paths in the utilities industry. “The utilities industry addresses many societal issues and needs. As an educator, I find that young students naturally ask a lot of utilities-related questions, such as: ‘How does electricity get into my home?’ or ‘How much rain is needed to end a drought?’ Behind these kinds of questions, are experts who can provide answers.”
Her quest for authentic learning experiences for her students has led her to various educational experiences outside of the classroom. She has participated in teacher study tours outside of the United States, served on Western Association of Schools and Colleges visiting committees, and has held membership with multiple professional organizations for educators. “The more I travel and interact with Black people from different countries, I realize that we have a lot in common and can collectively contribute to the greater Black community, here in the United States, and abroad. There are so many opportunities for social, political and economic advancement, if we can continue to embrace a collective ‘WE’ mentality.”
When asked what Black History Month means to her, she said that it serves as a reminder of how Black Americans carved a space in every aspect of American society. “This month celebrates the milestones of exceptional individuals who were founders, creators and trailblazers of every field possible,” she said. “Black History also honors the experiences of everyday Black Americans, who navigated through many challenges, and still managed to find community, success and joy, despite those obstacles.”
Donovan Gomez
Furniture Annex by Five Keys Ribbon Cutting
Timm Quinn
Stockton Chamber of Commerce
December 3, 2022
For almost 20 years, Five Keys across California have been helping people build or repair their lives. From prisoners and the formerly incarcerated, to the unhoused and others striving to gain the education they missed out on because of significant life challenges, Five Keys helps redesign and redefine people’s live with hope and new opportunities.
Now, Five Keys is excited to announce the opening of its Furniture Annex, a luxury home furnishing store, with furnishings and decorative items donated from a high-end retailer. 100% of the sales will underwrite Five Keys’ programs.
Success Story: Five Keys Cal Crew Stockton partnered with Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman
Five Keys Cal Crew Stockton partnered with Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, Volunteering at the San Joaquin Community Food Drive
2022 Holiday Gift Drive
Five Keys Holiday Drive Gift Guide
Dignity Village Groundbreaking Ceremony
Maurice Ramirez, Alamedapost.com
Posted Nov 7, 2022, at 7:50 am PT
On October 25, 2022, the City of Alameda held a ceremony to celebrate breaking ground for construction of Dignity Village on Fifth Street. City Council authorized the project in a 4-1 vote on April 5, with Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer voting against. The City of Alameda is sponsoring the project. $2,555,844 in operational funding and $9,225,536 for the development of the project is coming from the State of California (State) through the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), and another $2,654,622 in capitalized operational reserves sourced from the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department. The City is also contributing $10,855,995 towards the development and operations of this project.
Dignity Village will be administered by two organizations. DignityMoves, is serving as the project development manager. Five Keys Schools and Programs will serve as the onsite social service provider and property manager. The complex consists of a two-story shelter, a three-story shelter, an administration building, a community building, community gardens, a pet area, and 27 parking spaces. When it is completed, the center will house up to 61 individuals and couples in 47 units. Dignity Village will serve the homeless, chronically homeless, and homeless youth.
Construction Of Dignity Village To Kick-Off In Alameda
Dignity Village, an Interim Supportive Housing project in Alameda, will serve the homeless, chronically homeless, and homeless youth.
Kim Harris, Patch Staff, Patch.com
Posted Mon, Oct 24, 2022 at 2:38 pm PT|
ALAMEDA, CA — Construction on Dignity Village, a two story, 47 room Interim Supportive Housing project located at 2350 Fifth Street, will begin Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. with a kick-off celebration, the city of Alameda announced in a news release.
When completed, Dignity Village will serve the homeless, chronically homeless and homeless youth, the city said.
Pictured (left to right): Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcroft, Senator Nancy Skinner, City Staffmember Lisa Maxwell, Elizabeth Funk, CEO DignityMoves, and Steve Good, CEO Five Keys
Each of Dignity Village's 168 square foot rooms will include a private bathroom. The project also boasts community programming spaces, including a dining space, community garden and courtyard, as well as meeting rooms, private offices for support services staff, and storage, the city said.
Speakers at the kick-off celebration include Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Alameda Community Development Director Lisa Maxwell, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Senator Nancy Skinner, Elizabeth Funk of DignityMoves and Steve Good, President and CEO of Five Keys Schools and Programs.
According to the news release, Dignity Village has received $2,555,844 in operational funding and $9,225,536 for the development of the project from the State of California through the Housing and Community Development Department, and $2,654,622 in capitalized operational reserves from Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department with the support of Alameda County Supervisor Dave Brown. The city of Alameda is also contributing $10,855,995 towards the development and operations of the project.
Pardon Us: Meet the Women Behind Home Free Here, they open up about life after prison
On Never Losing Hope
Meet Nilda Sarayda Palacios, 39
Today: Health worker, the San Francisco Department of Public Health
Life behind bars: Nilda was 17 when she was convicted and sentenced. For 17 years, Nilda served time behind bars, ending up in prison and sentenced to 27-years-to-life for killing a man who was abusing her physically and very cruelly and emotionally during the time she was homeless. She wasn’t allowed to bring into court evidence of abuse.
Beginning again: Nilda was released in 2017 from the California Institution for Women in Chino, CA. Her sentence was reduced to involuntary manslaughter, and she was given credit for time served. For 16 years prior to that, she spent 16 years in Central California’s Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, the largest women’s prison in the state.
First thing she did when she was released: “I went to the beach and wrote ‘freedom’ in the sand.”
In a name: Nilda’s name comes from the Greek word that stands for “Warrior
Woman.” It’s a name her Guatemalan mother picked for her after a niece who died early, and her mother says, is meant to conjure up the image of a woman always having to face challenges all on her own. As she grew older, Nilda changed her name for a while to “Emily,” her brother’s middle name. In prison she had to abandon both names and was referred to as an identification number.
Moving on: Life after being behind bars: “I do self-nurturing and self-care by focusing my energy and time on things that are interesting to me. I’m also mindful of my five year parole plan and not allowing myself to be deterred from completing the plan objectives.”
Mantra and mission: “Do not lose hope, engage in persistent prayer, and rely on your unwavering faith. My overall message is to be kind to others as you may never know when you’re entertaining angels, remain consistent in reaching for your dreams and don’t give up no matter how difficult things may seem.”
How she’s redefining herself: “I’m reconnecting with the community, working
on being more spiritually grounded and more open to learning things I didn’t know about myself.
Favorite book: The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks an intensely romantic book—a novel about the everlasting power of “true love.”
Her Good News: In the five years Nilda has been working tirelessly to have her dream come true — to own her own home. She set a goal and worked every day toward it. In August, she purchased a three-bed, three-bath home in Pittsburgh, CA, where she lives with her new partner, and dog, Milo. Over the Labor Day weekend, she hosted a weekend-long celebration inviting her whole family over.
Five Keys staff donate backpacks, school supplies to LA-area students
Five Keys Celebrates “Happy Back to School!” for Students in Huntington Park, CA
Five Keys staff gathered more than 3,000 backpacks and school supplies for students of all ages heading back to school in Huntington Park, CA, a mostly Hispanic, working-class community in the inner Southeastern Los Angeles area.
On August 13, members of Five Keys’ ELO and Student Services teams joined the “Happy Back to School” event, which drew more than 5,000 people, and sponsored by Be Social Productions, according to Carol Guillen, Learning Recovery Manager.
“Our goal was to engage with the community and give back,” says Guillen. “One of the Five Keys stands for ‘Community’ and this event gave us the opportunity to immerse with one of the communities we service. We were able to give back to school age students and share the great services Five Keys provides with those interested in enrolling.”
The event, held at Salt Lake Park in Huntington Park included surprise guest, J.R. Villanueva, from the Disney Channel series Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion and included free backpacks, school supplies, COVID-19 vaccines, health screenings, free kids’ haircuts, arts and crafts, raffles and much more.
A shoutout goes to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit which provides diapers, formula and the basic needs for children living in poverty, and Big Sunday, an LA-area organization which organizes more than 2,000 ways for volunteers to help the community each year.
Big Sunday donated 175 pre-filled back packs and Baby2Baby donated over 6,000 writing utensils (pens/pencils/markers/color pencils) along with some binders. Five Keys provided "swag" items such as pencil pouches, hand sanitizers, portable chargers, lip balms, coasters, notebooks, and pens with the Five Keys logo. The Five Keys booth drew much attention to Five Keys’ ESL classes, adds Guillen.
Five Keys staff who helped organize the event included: Carol Guillen, Andrea Casillas, Learning Recovery Paraprofessional, Claudia Tinajero, Administrative Assistant, Karla Muñoz, Administrative Assistant, Dorothy Velasco, Assistant Director of Operations and Vanessa Martinez, Regional Administrative Manager.
