Its a hard reality when you find yourself up agents' a brick wall. its like the 602 prosses inside, you file and get a partially granted only they never tell you what was granted and if you write and ask they say the issue has been resolved and your back where you started. I recently found myself in this place again,

I'm needing 3000 hours of work experience in order to graduate and get my A.O.D. certification and the place I work as a night monitor the hours don't count. I need the office hours doing intakes and one on ones, running groups and such but the approval to work with CDCR clients is dragging its feet. I know it should not take that long to clear me so I'm like stupid mad  no one wants to make the decision. Just make it and I'll know to move on or stay.

​I decided to write this to you so you know when you hit your brick wall there is someone here who understands your struggle. It can be so frustrating you want to pull out you hair, but we can't the struggle we face coming back from our long time out is one we made and only we can finish is. I'll keep my head up push on and I know in the end it will all be worth it. Good luck to you and remember we can do this without going back in!                                                     ExOffender

I have a little story about a man who spent 33 years in prison and never expected to get out. This man first realized there was hope so he started going to groups, at first it was only to fulfill the requirements for the Board of Prison Terms, but something happened while this man was in these groups. Things were said that were familiar to him and he started to really listen to what was being said. After a while he found himself participating in discussions and educating himself in way's to change not only his life but his outlook on life and his hope for the future.

Thing's didn't happen overnight for this man but change did come and learning to apply the lessons he had learned. Fast forward 8 years and this man who had no hope goes to the Board and they find him suitable, 6 months later he is a free man out on the streets.

​Talk about culture shock, it was overwhelming at first but using the things he had learned he was able to adjust to his new life , what's more he was able to fulfill a promise to a few of his mentors and counselors to use his skills learned in the groups to help others. he enrolled in collage to get his AOD counseling license and starting with only $250.00 in a secured credit card In 2 years has reached a 710 credit score and was just approved for a $1500.00 unsecured card. All this from a man whom at one time had no hope it's just a story of hope and the way things can change if you really try. I know this man well can you guess who it is :) God bless you all till next time 
​                                                                                                     exoffender