How Support and Determination Guided Ashley to Stability
Ashely, a 34-year-old single mother of two boys from Pomona, California, grew up in a typical middle-class family. She was a cheerleader in school and spent summers playing basketball with friends. But returning home from incarceration presented a reality far different from her youth. Reentry was never going to be easy, but giving up was never an option.
After returning home from incarceration, Ashely faced a blank slate. No job, no home, no car. But what she did have was a commitment to building a new life for herself and her children.
Ashley recalls having nothing when she returned home, and she spent a week on the streets before she made the call, which changed everything.
That call connected her with housing assistance and a transitional program that gave her stability. But stability alone wasn’t her goal; she wanted growth. When she learned about the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in the Inland Empire, she saw her next step.
“I moved into a transition house and started looking for a job immediately,” says Ashely. “I was there for two months before I was told about CEO. I applied and was hired the same day to join a transitional work crew, beautifying the streets and parks of Riverside.”
Through transitional employment, Ashely gained hands-on experience with the California Department of Transportation, fixing road signs and painting lines. She earned certifications in flagging, OSHA safety, and forklift operation. She also met weekly with her job coach at CEO to build her resume, practice interviews, and search for jobs.
“The staff at CEO and my job coach did so much to help me in my first year home. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have any stability,” says Ashely. “They are a big blessing in my life.”
CEO also provided transportation vouchers, helped her navigate parole, and offered support every step of the way. After a year of transitional work, Ashely secured a full-time job as a hostess at a restaurant; she moved into her own apartment, bought a car, and now sees her children regularly.
She also continues to receive support from CEO through the company's retention program, which includes monthly incentives and regular check-ins from staff who still text and call to see how she’s doing.
Driven by her determination and support along the way, Ashely continues to take bold steps forward.
“I’ve always liked learning new things, that’s why I volunteered for so many programs while I was inside,” Ashely says. “Classes like Financial Literacy and Victim Impact taught me so much.”
Yet one goal remains unfinished, and Ashely is ready to face it.
“The first time I took the GED test, I was nineteen and passed everything except the math section,” she says. “Later, when I was incarcerated, I did GED prep for a year before being told that I didn’t have enough time on my sentence to take the test.”
“These days I have an incredible life despite not having passed the GED,” Ashely adds. “But I still plan to get my high school diploma next month, if only to prove to myself that I can.”
Ashely’s journey reflects what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. With support from CEO and a fierce inner drive, she has turned an uncertain homecoming into a story of growth and empowerment.
“If someone needed help and they were referred to CEO, I’d tell them that with a little hard work, they can be successful in their reentry,” says Ashely. “If you take advantage of the opportunities CEO presents, there’s no way you can’t move up.”
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