A lot can change in 27 years.
Born in Hawaii to a single mother, John, 58, grew up between the islands and California, eventually settling in Los Angeles County. In his early twenties, John drove trucks and worked in warehouses for work, but then he developed a substance use disorder that led him to crime – a cycle that brought decades of suffering. When John walked out of prison just three months ago, he was free, but facing a world that had changed dramatically during his 27 years of incarceration.
“I didn’t know how to reenter society after being gone for so long. Nothing can really prepare you for that first tsunami of problems that crushes you when you walk out that prison gate,” John says. “But this time I was determined to do it right. I knew I needed help, and I knew I had to stay focused.”
Upon his release, John moved into a transition house where one of the biggest challenges was not having food or clothes. Residents were required to take care of their own necessities, and most of his housemates had food assistance from CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for people with low income.
“I had $200 from the prison to buy necessities, but that didn't last long,” John says, “I was faced with a tough decision and I didn’t want to commit a crime just to eat.”
With help from the staff, John applied for food assistance and received a debit card from CalFresh one week later. Thanks to the state-run program, he now receives $290 a month for groceries, just enough to keep him afloat while he focuses on his recovery and next steps.
“I would’ve been in a lot of trouble without that food assistance,” says John.
With around 40,000 Californians in the state released from jail or prison every year, John wasn’t alone.
With food taken care of, John could shift his attention to employment. He learned about the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Sacramento through his housemates at the transition house. Within days, he was enrolled and working on a transitional work crew beautifying the city streets. “They paid me every day for work. That was huge. CEO gave me a purpose and a paycheck.”
But CEO offered more than just immediate work—they helped build long-term career skills. They paid for John’s forklift certification, OSHA training, and flagger card, and even supplied work boots and personal protection equipment.
“They believed in me,” John says. “I just bought a car with the money I saved from CEO. That’s something I haven’t done in decades.”
John is also receiving support from the California Department of Rehabilitation, a state agency that helps formerly incarcerated individuals access vocational programs. They're helping him pursue trucking school again – returning to a trade he once knew well.
Still, John worries about what happens when he becomes fully employed: “Once I start working full-time, I might lose my CalFresh benefits. But I tell people – take advantage of it while you can. It helps take the stress off so you can focus on getting your life back.”
Today, John is stable, focused, and hopeful. He dreams of one day returning to his native Hawaii and the blue ocean, following his calling to be a fisherman. While proud of how far he’s come, John makes sure to acknowledge those who have helped him get here.
“CalFresh gave me the ability to survive. CEO gave me the ability to grow,” John says. “Put those two together, and you’ve got a real second chance."
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