Kern County GEO Reentry Services recently celebrated 22 graduates who completed a program designed to help community members on probation. The program has operated for 15 years, helping individuals reshape their views on life and prepare them to make an impact in their community. Program Manager Elisabeth Valencia noted the challenges participants face when they first arrive.
“A lot of the times they don’t have a support system outside of the program. So it makes it hard to build trust. The interactions start off with yes, no, uh huh kind of comments. Then when they get comfortable they start to tell us about their day, getting a new job, seeing their kids, all those wonderful connections are very rewarding,” Valencia said.
The program teaches lessons participants can implement in their daily lives outside the classroom…