Land Together Participant Spotlights

James (on the right) with Arnold (Reentry Coordinator) and Michael (another reentry participant) at a recent check-in lunch. 

James graduated from Land Together's in-prison program at the California Medical Facility and was released in November 2023. Mandated to return to Bakersfield, far from his home in Shasta County, he faced reentry without family support, transportation, employment, or financial stability. He started with virtually nothing, except determination and the continued support of the Land Together community.

The road was not easy. Housing instability, unfamiliar surroundings, and limited resources meant James took whatever work he could find, often walking long distances in extreme cold and summer heat to physically demanding, minimum wage jobs while meeting parole requirements.

His persistence paid off. He secured stable employment, earned early discharge from parole, and now lives independently in his own apartment. James also plans to return to college to complete the associate's degree he began while incarcerated. He dreams of owning his own business and is taking active steps to get there.

Perhaps most meaningful of all, James has planted his own garden. The lessons cultivated inside, patience, discipline, care, and resilience, are now rooted in his daily life. Like tending a garden, he kept showing up even when the conditions were harsh.

In Jame's own words: "Thank you. You guys helped me so much. You can't achieve flight without takeoff."

Steven and his partner at a recent check-in lunch with Arnold (Reentry Coordinator)

Steven was part of our program at Avenal State Prison from 2018 to 2019. He came home in 2020. We were there for his gate pickup and his first meal out. He was released into a transitional house, and we connected him with college counselors who helped him enroll at Lemoore College. 

This month, we checked in with Steven and his girlfriend over pizza. He's graduating in May with his Associate of Arts degree and plans to transfer to Fresno State. He's working steadily and has his own apartment. His girlfriend reminded us that she joined us a few years back at one of our reentry nature excursions that included a bald eagle tour.

Steven faced real obstacles after release. He moved around, pieced together jobs, navigated the hard in-between. He never quit. He also volunteered for a documentary about Land Together's reentry work, sharing his story so others could see themselves in it.

This is what reentry support looks like when it's rooted in relationship. Not a one-time handoff. A long-term commitment to showing up.