The moment a resident’s story starts with, “The second time I went to prison…” you know there’s a good measure of tenacity involved. She’s here and she made it through!
The first time Kelsey was released from prison, she went back to her old community. It wasn’t long before she fell into the same routines and ended up back inside. But even as she shares this, a twinkle is in her eye. “Someone turned me in for breaking parole,” she said. “And I’m not even mad about it. People tried to help me, and in hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened.”
This time around, Kelsey knew she wanted to live differently. Something had to change, so she advocated for herself to receive treatment and education resources while in prison. She learned how her own choices and patterns of behavior were detrimental to herself and others, and she gained the confidence to forge a new path for herself.
Now Kelsey is out of prison, clean, and plugged into a new community at Jubilee that is supportive and empowering. She’s pursuing her love for the trades and is enrolled in an apprenticeship program specifically geared toward women.
Tenacity in the midst of a dark season feels like clawing toward a distant light. We see women working through this every day. It’s why we keep showing up. It’s why we ask you to show up.
These are the women and this is the work you support when you give to Jubilee.