CA HIRE Stories

Meeting Essential Needs, Changing Lives: Stories from the HIRE Program

Since launching in 2024, the Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment (HIRE) program has done more than fund services—it’s restored dignity, provided stability, and opened doors for hundreds of justice-impacted individuals. Through the California Workforce Development Board’s investment in needs-related payments, CEO and its partners in the California Reentry Employment Opportunity Network (CREON) are projected to distribute $1.2M in direct assistance and serve 1500 Californians across the state. These payments, averaging $2,400 per person, have helped individuals meet essential needs during the vulnerable reentry period, covering costs like groceries, rent, transportation, and work-related supplies.

Participants have used these funds to buy toiletries and clothing, pay for tools and training gear, cover overdue rent, and maintain reliable transportation. Others have supported educational expenses, enrollment in advanced training courses, or high fuel costs to access job sites and classes. In every instance, financial assistance offers a vital bridge to stability and long-term success.

Read their stories below.

Reentry Cash Assistance: Investing in People, Not Prisons: How Financial Aid Changed William’s Future

William grew up in an underserved community in south central Los Angeles with limited opportunities. He was raised by his hardworking mother, who juggled multiple jobs to support him and his 10 siblings. Like many others raised in similar situations, when his mother passed away at just 42, William struggled to find his path. Without guidance or support, he turned to substances to cope, leading to choices that resulted in his incarceration.

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Reentry Cash Assistance: How Cash Assistance Helped John Train to Save Lives

John grew up in South Sacramento, California, and saw things that a young boy just shouldn’t see. “It became normal to see drug dealing, drug use, violent crimes, people getting messed up, people getting shot,” said John. “It’s what I thought life was like.” A child of divorce, John lived with his mother, who he says wasn’t as involved as she should have been.

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Reentry Cash Assistance: How One Mother Found Stability Through Work and the CA HIRE Program

Growing up in Los Angeles, Dina faced her teenage years chasing distractions rather than diplomas. Those early choices led her into the criminal justice system and eventually incarceration. But when she returned home, ready to rebuild her life, Dina quickly encountered the harsh financial realities of reentry. She knew change was possible, but also that it wasn’t free.

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Reentry Cash Assistance: How a $1,500 Grant Helped Heather Get Back on the Road—and on a Mission

When Heather was released from incarceration, she was determined to use those strengths to build a better future for herself and others like her. Still, despite her determination, she faced significant barriers to stability and employment. That’s where the CA HIRE grant came in—an initiative from the California Workforce Development Board designed to support individuals navigating reentry. Through the grant, Heather received $1,500 in targeted financial assistance to help her get back on her feet. The grant provides training, resources, and critical needs-based payments through the Center for Employment Opportunities’ network of partner organizations. Its goal is to reduce recidivism and empower justice-impacted individuals with the tools for lasting success.

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Reentry Cash Assistance: From Survival to Success: Isaac’s Journey After Incarceration

Growing up in Del Paso Heights, Sacramento, Isaac faced many challenges. With two parents who struggled with addiction and were often incarcerated, he was in and out of foster care and soon started getting into trouble in his early teens for fighting.

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Reentry Cash Assistance: Reentry Starts With Stability: Angie’s Story of Support and Success

Growing up in northern California, Angie was always into music. When she was younger, she would record and perform her own material and dreamed of attending the Los Angeles Film School to study music production.

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