By Kaci Smith | Project Intern
This fall, Free Minds members have been hard at work building skills in our Apprenticeship and Peer Support Training Programs, connecting with themselves and each other at our weekly “Build Up” book club sessions and our annual cookout, and continuously supporting and driving each other forward on the road to success.
Workforce Success with our Job Readiness and Skill Building Apprenticeship
In October, eleven formerly incarcerated Free Minds members participated in our Job Readiness and Personal Skill Building Apprenticeship. This program prepares members for workplace success through hands-on learning on topics including workplace communication, conflict resolution, and resume building. During the week-long program, members participated in a budgeting workshop presented by our financial literacy partner, and practiced effective interview techniques.
The apprentices were also treated to advice from fellow Free Minds members based on their own on-the-job experiences. Everyone agreed that navigating these real-world scenarios was invaluable to a successful job search. On the final day, members created vision boards capturing their career and life goals after incarceration. They presented their boards to each other and Free Minds staff, practicing public speaking and gaining group support for their reentry goals as they shared the meaning behind each image. Envisioning goals and building a supportive peer network to help each member achieve them are proven, core tenets of our program model.
Fellowship at the Free Minds Annual Cookout
We held our 6th annual Free Minds Cookout in October. A record number of Free Minds members, staff, family, and friends joined together to celebrate an afternoon of community. We persevered through the rainy weather to laugh and eat delicious food prepared by Job Coach Tony, who cooked up sizzling delights all day on the grill. Everyone played games and enjoyed a fun-filled, stress-free day.
Seven Free Minds members demonstrated their leadership skills by serving on the planning committee, where they worked out the logistics of food, music, and games—including kickball, Connect 4, and chess. Members were all smiles as they spent the afternoon in fellowship with one another and the broader Free Minds community. At the request of members, we hosted our first spoken word performance where people had the opportunity to recite their poetry. One of the standout performances was by Regina, a former Free Minds member who now serves on staff. She recited her own poem entitled "No Room in my Brain," which explores hope and self-assurance during times when one’s mind feels cluttered. The poem’s theme of hope resonated deeply with the spirit of the cookout, as we all witnessed the power of unity.
Celebrating Each Other Through Peer Support
Through our 12-week Joshua Samuel Memorial Peer Support Training Program, members lean on each other as they build the social-emotional support tools to successfully navigate the stressors and challenges of reentry. Simultaneously, they help others coming home navigate their own reentry journeys.
Sixteen members graduated from our 12th cohort this September. During the graduation ceremony, Free Minds member Prince reflected on the impact of participating in the program: “These sessions with the brothers were better than any therapy session I’ve done because it was really genuine. I was always looking forward to it. I know Free Minds is my family, but these last few weeks were a conviction in my heart that this was truly the place for me to be, because many people don’t understand us. I find so much joy and so much peace in the company of my brothers.” Congratulations to all of the graduates!
Reflecting on Life through "The Build Up"
Once a week, members gather at our Reentry Book Club—named by members as “The Build Up”—to engage in reading discussions, celebrate career and personal milestones, and uplift each other through social-emotional support. Members recently began reading Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm, a memoir by six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan that details his public struggle with depression and his journey to find inner peace.
In one session on the book, members reflected on DeRozan’s relationship with his father, who encouraged his son to always believe in the possibilities of tomorrow. Free Minds member Lamont shared that many in his family doubted his ability to make good decisions after he came home, but his sister chose to support and believe in him. He proved those doubters wrong: after a long incarceration, he came home, got a job, was promoted to manager within months, moved into his own apartment, bought a car, and became best friends with his sister. Lamont inspired other members who resonated with the challenges of family reunification, showing that belief in oneself and surrounding yourself with a supportive network are winning ingredients for success.
Member Spotlight: Floyd
Free Minds member Floyd epitomizes perseverance. Floyd came home from prison in 2024 after more than 15 years of incarceration. Eager to begin working, Floyd was thrilled to obtain a job working at a hospital; however, he was let go after his background check came back showing a criminal record. Despite this disappointment, he continued his job search and sought support amongst the other members who were also in his same situation. He then found a job cleaning trains and became a supervisor, only for the clearing company's contract with the transit system to be cancelled. This did not stop Floyd, and he found another job cleaning kitchens overnight, as well as permanent employment in the environmental services sector of the healthcare industry. We are proud of Floyd’s perseverance, as his resilience and determination demonstrate the power of holding onto hope.
As we begin to look towards the end of the year, we are filled with gratitude this fall season for our Free Minds community. Thank you for believing in our members as they continue to persevere and achieve their goals.
By Joy Asamoah | Project Intern
By Katie Raines | Project Intern
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