From CDL Dreams to the Driver’s Seat: G’Andre’s Road Back

When G’Andre reflects on his childhood, the joyful memories come first—gatherings with family, adventures with friends, and rollercoaster days at Six Flags. Though born in Chicago, he was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he once dreamed of becoming a doctor or surgeon who could heal others and provide for his family.

But as the years unfolded, the path veered. Surrounded by older peers and swept into circles that didn’t mean him well, G’Andre made choices that led to his incarceration for five years. Like many young men surrounded by negative influences, his dreams were slowly eclipsed by the reality of peer pressure and bad decisions. “I was just trying to maintain,” he says now. “But I was going in the wrong direction.”

Returning home in 2024, G’Andre’s reentry was a mix of the surreal and the sacred. Having food that he couldn’t get while locked was joy, making you realize how much you miss the simplest things. “I ate everything I wanted when I got home,” he said. The first thing he did was reunite with his daughters, a moment filled with tears, joy, and the weight of all they had missed. He moved in with his mother, a stabilizing presence, which made his reentry smoother than most, easing one of reentry’s steepest hurdles: housing.

Employment, however, proved elusive. “No one wanted to hire someone who’s been locked up before,” he shares. G’Andre remembers how temp agencies used to be a lifeline, but now they're even tougher with the extensive paperwork and background checks. Most places said no. Still, he found strength in his support system, with family and friends who’d lend a few dollars when needed. Not everyone leaving incarceration will have that type of community during their reentry phase.

More than 17,000 individuals are released each year from Georgia’s state prisons, stepping back into society with hopes of rebuilding their lives. But for too many, that journey is riddled with systemic barriers. Roughly one in three will return to incarceration within three years, often due to the compounding challenges of securing stable housing, employment, and support.

A month after his release, G’Andre was referred to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) by WorkSource Atlanta. He met with Antwahn, the program manager. Within a week of his intake meeting, he was earning daily pay on a transitional work crew, beautifying the city and getting reacquainted with the rhythm of a workday. “That job, it helped me feel like I belonged again.”

From the start, G’Andre stood out. CEO staff recognized his reliability, presence, and clear commitment to growth. Soon after joining, he enrolled in CEO’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program, determined to turn his ambitions into a tangible career. After reviewing a list of recommended schools, he selected one and spent five weeks in intensive training. The toughest maneuver on the driving exam tripped him up on the first try—but he stayed the course, and eventually passed.

That perseverance paid off. G’Andre earned his CDL certification and was hired by a major trucking company in Atlanta to deliver goods. The position he found through a listing on Indeed came without judgment or barriers—just opportunity. For the first time since returning home, he had not only a stable income but a career with potential for growth.

“They welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “No experience, no judgment.”

With a steady paycheck, G’Andre could finally do what he longed to do: provide for his children. “There’s a difference between having a job and building a career,” he added. “When you have a career, it feels like you’re moving up in the world.”

His story is all the more striking given the systemic challenges that so many others face. In Georgia, individuals with a criminal record are nearly ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. In Atlanta, the barriers to permanent housing are among the highest in the Southeast—a daunting reality for those returning home without the support that helped G’Andre succeed.

To those just coming home, G’Andre offers this advice: “Stay out of trouble, believe in yourself, and be around people who will support you.” He also wants the world to understand: “Having felonies doesn’t mean it’s over. People judge us, but it’s not the end. It’s not going to be easy, but never give up.”

Stay connected—sign up for our newsletter to learn how CEO supports justice-impacted individuals through career building, advocacy, and policy change. Check out more stories on our blog or donate to support economic mobility.