SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Dozens of formerly incarcerated people celebrated a major milestone Thursday after completing a voluntary reentry program designed to help them successfully transition back into their communities.
Graduates crossed the stage at the Santa Barbara Day Reporting Center's annual commencement ceremony, surrounded by family members, community supporters, and local leaders who applauded their commitment to rebuilding their lives after incarceration.
For many graduates, the ceremony marked more than the completion of a program.
"I wasted a lot of time in my life," one graduate said. "The little bit of life I've got left, I just want to make it right for myself and for my mama."
The emotional celebration also resonated with loved ones who witnessed their family members achieve a goal they once thought might never happen.
"The one thing he wanted to see was his son come out of that prison before we leave this earth," one family member said. "And God granted that for him."
The Day Reporting Center is operated by Community Solutions, Inc. in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. The voluntary program serves people on state parole by connecting them with case managers and employment specialists while offering substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, housing support, educational resources, and employment assistance.
Program Director Melinda Johnston said rebuilding a life after prison often begins with overcoming barriers to employment and stability.
"The hardest thing would be for a client to get back on their feet because when you go for a job interview and they ask you for a résumé, you can't put that you've been in prison for 20 years," Johnston said. "We offer anger management, substance abuse, domestic violence classes, and once they've completed those groups, we help them with employment and education."
Community Solutions California Area Director Jennifer Barretto said the goal is to help participants develop the skills needed to avoid returning to custody.
"We're teaching these clients how to make new decisions in life, how to make better decisions in life so they don't recidivate and go back into custody," Barretto said. "Without programs like the Day Reporting Center and the community partners that we utilize, these clients would likely return to incarceration."
Among those recognized Thursday was Richard Delgado, who received the program's Client of the Year award. Delgado reflected on how much he has changed during his journey.
"I've changed a lot," Delgado said. "I'm not the person that I used to be 12 years ago. I learned what compassion is."
Community Solutions has operated the Day Reporting Centers in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office since 2010. Organizers say the graduation ceremony recognizes not only the completion of the program but also the perseverance required to build a new future after incarceration.
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