We first met “Lucia” as an 8th grader arrested for unauthorized use of a car and possession of a handgun. Lucia had been plagued by family troubles throughout her childhood–her father was absent, and her mother was often too busy to know what her daughter was up to. Wanting to feel accepted, she fell in with an older crowd of adults who were out at all hours of the night.
One day, one of those adults stole a car and handed their gun to Lucia, who was sitting in the passenger seat. When the police arrived, every single one of her supposed “friends” ran, leaving Lucia to be arrested. At just fourteen years old, she was left behind to take criminal charges by people she thought she could trust. After her trial, she was sentenced to a year in a juvenile prison. With no one left to turn to, Lucia desperately needed help.
Lucia’s LCCR team got to work to support her during her time in juvenile prison. Her social worker, Roberta, visited her every week to listen to her concerns and help with anything she needed. She expressed her worries to Roberta about the reentry process once her time was done. How was she going to go back to school? Would she ever be able to get a job with a juvenile record? At just fifteen years old, she had no idea how to navigate these challenges by herself.
LCCR’s Reentry Specialist, Shon Williams, began working with Lucia to arrange everything she would need to successfully exit the prison system. As a former juvenile lifer, Shon deeply understands the pitfalls and challenges of reentry. He sat down with Lucia and explained the mistakes he had made in his own life, and how he was able to make a change. After several months passed, Lucia’s LCCR attorney, Eden, advocated for her release from custody. She was released on probation, contingent on her continued work with Shon. She told the judge during her case that Shon was the closest thing she had ever had to a male role model.
Once Lucia had been released, Roberta connected her with a discussion group of formerly incarcerated female mentors who were able to help guide her through the arduous process of reentry. Shon used LCCR’s Client Welfare Fund to purchase a bed for her so that she had a place to sleep at home. He made a referral for her to join Pathways, a job training program. Shon then went with Lucia to help get her a state ID so that she would be able to apply for jobs. He taught her how to navigate the public transit system, bought her new shoes, and facilitated a donation of new clothes for her. He also took the time to find new ways for Lucia and her mother to communicate, especially when they disagreed.
Lucia has followed all the conditions of her probation since her release, and her case is scheduled to close next month. She is excited to start school in the fall and even has a job interview lined up at a restaurant. She eventually plans to become a hairdresser and knows that her LCCR team will be cheering her on every step of the way.
Shon and LCCR’s Second Chances program fills a huge gap in programming for children who are preparing to return to their communities post-incarceration. Many of these kids, like Lucia, have very few resources for reentry support. Shon’s lived experience made him a great mentor for Lucia; he was someone who understood the challenges of the reentry process and knew how to overcome them. He also provided the resources Lucia needed so that she would succeed in her probation. Lucia is an amazing girl full of life who inspires everyone she meets with her positive attitude. She can now leave the legal system behind, knowing she is surrounded by love and support.
