Hope Lives Here

Meet Jesus Jesus was released from prison this year after 17 years of incarceration. During that time, he taught himself how to draw over hundreds of hours and discovered a passion for working with colored pencils. While incarcerated, Jesus earned his GED, an associate degree in Business Administration, a second associate degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and an AutoCAD certificate in drafting and design. Jesus came to Project Kinship as a ...

Meet Arturo When Arturo first came to Project Kinship, he was struggling with substance use and had lost custody of his children. He was facing the difficult realities of rebuilding his life and finding a path forward. Through Project Kinship’s Substance Use Recovery services, Arturo found support, connection, and guidance from people who understood what he was going through. With the support of our Education & Employment Pathways Program, he developed a ...

Meet April For April, re-entry is more than a service—it is personal. As a Peer Navigator at Project Kinship, April walks alongside participants who are often released from incarceration unsure of where to begin. She helps them navigate the practical and emotional challenges of rebuilding their lives, connecting them to resources, opportunities, and support while reminding them that they do not have to walk this journey alone. April knows what it feels ...

Meet Cory Cory grew up surrounded by trauma and addiction. His father and uncles struggled with heroin, and by age 20, Cory was battling meth addiction and deeply involved in a criminal lifestyle. For years, violence and addiction became the ways he coped with pain he didn’t yet know how to understand. Today, Cory’s life looks very different. He has been home from incarceration for two years and has spent nearly ...

Meet Ignacio Born and raised in Santa Ana, Ignacio carries a deep love for the community that shaped him. Growing up in a supportive home with three older sisters who always looked out for him, he saw firsthand the power of family and belonging. He also watched friends drift away from that support, often searching for connection elsewhere. Those experiences planted the seeds for the work he does today. Mental health ...