After being released from 20 years of incarceration I was overwhelmed by a flood of anxiety. The world had moved on without me, and I was stepping into a reality I no longer recognized. I didn’t know where to start, where to get a meal, how to apply for a driver’s license, or even how to take a simple bus ride. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me, and for the first time in my life, despite everything I had endured, I felt truly lost.

That feeling never left me. I knew in that moment that no one else should have to experience that kind of isolation and confusion when coming home. Born and raised in Southern California, I had always believed in resilience, but I also understood that survival shouldn’t mean struggling alone. Over the past five years, I’ve dedicated myself to ensuring others don’t have to navigate reentry blindly. Whether it’s connecting people with resources, offering guidance, or simply showing up when no one else will, I’m committed to making sure those returning from incarceration have the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.