Category: Uncategorized
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Prioritizing Yourself in the Nonprofit World: Why PTO and Boundaries Matter in 2025
Taking PTO when you work in a nonprofit often feels like an impossible task. The demands never stop, the boundaries between personal and professional life blur, and the needs of others always seem to outweigh your own. Nonprofit work is deeply personal—it’s tied to your values and purpose—so walking away, even temporarily, feels like abandoning…
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The Blind Pursuit: How Lack of Self-Control and Manipulation Sabotage Success
In a world where ambition is celebrated and success is idolized, it’s easy to slip into a cycle of manipulation, entitlement, and blind ambition. We often push for what we think we need, manipulating situations or people to get there, all while ignoring what’s already in front of us. In this pursuit, we fail to…
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Treating Others with Respect: Meeting Them Where They Are
Respect is a powerful gift we can offer one another, but it’s also something we often take for granted. When we look at someone, especially those who have made mistakes—mistakes they are actively trying to overcome—it’s easy to focus on their past rather than their present or potential. Yet, when we reflect on our own…
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Human Dignity: Treating Others with Respect, Regardless of Their Past
We all carry stories—stories of triumph, struggle, redemption, and loss. For some, these stories are etched in scars that are visible, while for others, they are whispered quietly in memories of regret or shame. Yet, one universal truth remains: every person is deserving of respect and dignity, no matter their past experiences or choices. In…
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Breaking the Stigma: Changing Perceptions of Justice-Involved Individuals
One of the biggest barriers to successful reentry isn’t the lack of jobs, housing, or resources—it’s the stigma that follows justice-involved individuals. That stigma can make even the smallest steps forward feel like an uphill battle. I’ve witnessed it in the lives of countless others. Society often reduces people like us to our worst mistakes,…
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The Power of Person-First Language: Seeing the Individual Beyond the Label
Language has the power to shape how we see ourselves and others. The words we use to describe people can either uplift them or diminish their worth. This is especially true for individuals who have faced incarceration, substance use, or other challenges. In my work and personal life, I’ve come to understand the importance of…
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The Loneliest Time of the Year: Feeling Abandoned During the Holidays Behind Bars
The holidays have a way of exposing the cracks in our lives, magnifying the wounds we carry and the voids we try to ignore. For me, those cracks widened into chasms during the years I spent behind bars. The holidays were the loneliest time of the year, and the sense of abandonment hit harder than…
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The Lingering Shadows: Living with PTSD After Prison
Life after prison feels like a strange dance with shadows, each step weighed down by reminders of the past. The world outside may see freedom, but for those of us who’ve been incarcerated, the invisible chains of post-traumatic stress linger in ways that few could ever imagine. These aren’t just inconvenient quirks or passing fears—they’re…
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From Prison to Possibility: Transforming Lives Through Persevere Technology
Imagine sitting in a dimly lit prison cell, with bars as your only view of the world, while on the other side, a person is seated at a desk, illuminated by the bright light of opportunity. This powerful image symbolizes the bridge Persevere is building—one that transforms lives from confinement to thriving in a community…
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Guiding the Journey: The Transformative Impact of Mentorship for Reentry Success
For individuals reentering society after incarceration, the path forward is often daunting. Transitioning into a supported living environment can provide structure, safety, and a foundation for rebuilding their lives. However, one critical piece often overlooked in this process is mentorship. A mentor can be a lifeline for someone navigating the complexities of reintegration, and the…
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