At Community Action, we see every day how powerful a second chance can be. But every so often, we witness a transformation so profound that it captures the very heart of why Project Thrive exists. Recently, one of our graduates stopped by the office — and his visit reminded us just how life‑changing this program can be.
This participant graduated from Project Thrive in January 2025, but his journey to that moment had been long and painful. He entered the justice system at just 13 years old and spent much of his adolescence and adulthood cycling through juvenile facilities, jails, and prison. Like so many returning citizens, he faced limited support and the fear of becoming another statistic in a system where nearly 66% of individuals released from state prisons are re‑arrested within three years, and 82% within ten years.
When our team first met him at the Drug Abuse Prison in Winnebago, he carried years of trauma and survival instincts. After completing the program and returning to the community, he tried to rebuild — but the pressures of old environments and old connections made that difficult. He shared honestly that he slipped back into familiar patterns. A few months later, he was violently attacked, struck in the head with a baseball bat. That moment was a turning point.
While recovering, he made a brave decision. He removed himself from everything pulling him backward and rented a hotel room for a month to heal and think. In that quiet space, he said lessons from Project Thrive kept resurfacing — reminders about accountability, identity, and choosing a healthier path. He felt he had “one foot in the streets and one foot out,” and he knew he had to choose.
He chose a different life.
After graduating, he secured employment — joining the 79% of 2025 Project Thrive graduates who entered the workforce after completing the program. Within a few months, he advanced into a living‑wage position, contributing to the 64% of Thrive graduates who achieved and maintained living‑wage employment. His dedication led to a pay increase as well, reflecting the broader trend where 68% of Project Thrive participants increased their salary through the program.
These milestones are even more meaningful when viewed in the context of local economic challenges. With unemployment at 4.1% in Beloit and 3.5% in Rock County, individuals with justice‑system involvement face significantly steeper barriers to stable employment. Despite these challenges, he persevered — and Project Thrive helped him overcome the obstacles that often send individuals back into cycles of reincarceration.
Today, he has maintained stable employment for six months, earning $20 an hour. He moved into his own apartment, a milestone he shares with pride, and even adopted a dog. His confidence is unmistakable. The young man who once carried himself with the weight of survival now walks with clarity, purpose, and dignity.
And perhaps the milestone that means the most to him: next month, for the first time since he was 13, he will no longer be on probation. He has had no law‑enforcement contact for over a year, joining the overwhelmingly successful outcomes of Project Thrive, which maintains a 6–8% one‑year recidivism rate — dramatically lower than the 30–40% national and state averages.
His story is one of resilience, courage, and hope. It is also a powerful example of what happens when individuals are given the right support, tools, and belief in their ability to build a different future. Project Thrive is more than a program — it is a lifeline for those seeking stability, growth, and the opportunity to truly thrive.
Community Action is proud to be part of his journey and honored to share this story as proof that change is not just possible — it is happening every day.