Employment & Support Builds a New Life And Path Forward: Levi’s Journey from Incarceration to Empowerment
“If you asked me a year ago where I saw myself in 12 months, I never would have thought I would be in college studying, working full-time at a job that is helping me build my career path, and living with my family. Now, I wake up in the morning and smile. I feel good about myself and the decisions I am making, and I look forward to going to work every day.” Levi
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We are very happy to share Levi’s story as it is a reminder that people CAN change. It is also a reminder that mass incarceration is not the answer. So often, individuals need treatment – not incarceration.
Levi’s Youth
Levi dropped out of school in the 8th grade and started using drugs and getting into trouble at 13 years old. By the time he reached 15, he was already struggling with addiction.
Levi shared, “You are owned by addiction. I was living in a lifestyle on the street that centered around getting high, committing robberies and stealing cars to support my drug use. My world revolved around my addiction and I was hanging out around people who were in that same cycle.”
He was incarcerated in jail multiple times and lived a life of homelessness while being strung out on drugs. Levi worked on surviving in the woods. At one point, he tried moving in with his sister, but he ended up stealing her car to find his next drug fix. It seemed his addiction ruled his life.
Incarceration
In 2019, Levi was arrested and sent to Clallam Bay Corrections Center – his first time in prison. Before COVID-19 spread through the region, he was released but he told the men inside they would probably be seeing him again.
“I was basically walked out of the Clallam Bay gate and given a bus ticket to go back to Tacoma. Good bye and good luck. I landed back in Tacoma on the streets, homeless with no resources or hope. Soon, I was back to stealing cars to support myself and getting high,” Levi stated.
In 2021, after having many warrants for his arrest and landing on a few of the “Most Wanted” lists, Levi was arrested and sent to Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. It hit him hard – he needed to make a change NOW and break the negative pattern in his life. He no longer wanted to be around and hear all the men bragging about their last criminal conquests. He wanted out.
Rebuilding His Life
Levi commented, “I was put in a cell to detox on my own for around five days. That was the prison’s method for detox. I lived through it and then started to find ways to improve my situation. I decided to get my GED in prison and graduated in 2019. Then, I took advantage of treatment programs, welding and digital design courses to gain some knowledge and skills. When I learned about the Washington State Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Graduated Reentry (GRE) program, I was interested and applied.”
The GRE program is a state-wide initiative run by DOC that allows eligible incarcerated individuals to serve the final months of their sentence in the community under supervision. The structured program required that Levi wear an ankle monitor, live in a reentry center upon his release, participate in treatment programs and find employment. The program provided a structured and supervised transition back into the community to improve public safety and support successful reentry.
Education and Employment with Pioneer
Last year, Levi was released from prison in the GRE program and sent to live in a halfway house in Everett. This was a huge improvement from his last release where he literally landed on the streets in Tacoma with no home, money or work.
His DOC officer encouraged him to find work and Levi really searched for a job. He learned to browse on Indeed.com for available positions and found a janitor position at the Snohomish County Diversion Center (SCDC) that Pioneer Human Services operates and near to his reentry home. Pioneer believes in providing second chances, and Levi was hired at SCDC and worked with his ankle monitor.
The SCDC staff provided support and guidance to Levi. He was mentored in his job and in his recovery, and now had the time to think about what he wanted to do in life down the road. Scott Rowley, lead case manager at SCDC, noticed how hard Levi worked and how his interaction with the clients was positive and supportive. Scott talked with Levi and recommended he pursue more education to build a career.
Levi shared, “Scott is so dedicated and really cares about other people. He works to make sure each person in SCDC who is ready, experiences a successful integration back into the community. Often, Scott stays late at the program and comes in on his day off if he knows a client has a need. There is usually a brief window where you can secure a treatment bed or stable housing for a person seeking recovery – Scott jumps when that window opens.”
Upon Scott’s encouragement, Levi enrolled in Edmonds Community College where he is studying for his AA in Addiction Studies. He is on the college’s honor roll and now working as a case manager.
After nearly a year working at SCDC, Scott recommended Levi for a case management role at the Carnegie Resource Center, next door to SCDC. Pioneer also operates the Carnegie and Levi was hired based on his work ethic and skill in interfacing with the SCDC clients. Levi now works with clients walking in or calling the Carnegie about services and resources they need. He navigates their needs and works with Carnegie’s 40+ agencies and community partners ready to serve.
Lived Experience
Levi said, “I have been clean and sober for over four years now. I live with my family, engage in my college studies and enjoy my work as a case manager.” Levi added, “I feel like I have a hold on life now. I was living in such a repetitive cycle of sleeping on the street, getting high and looking over my shoulder – trust is not something you grow in that environment.”
When asked about how he is staying on his recovery journey, Levi shared, “You have to be OK with being alone and cutting off people from your life who are still in the lifestyle that you left. You cannot be co-dependent on anyone else. When I have a weak moment, I lean on my faith and look up to the sun and sky for guidance – and I get it every time.”
There was so much time that Levi lost with his family – he finds it hard to believe. After finally meeting several nieces and nephews that were born while he was either struggling with addiction or locked up, he now knows what a joy they are to have in his life.
Recovery and Second Chance Employment
Levi appreciates his team at the Carnegie Resource Center and day by day he is building up his self-worth and dignity. Levi commented, “Second chance employment and support services are detrimental to most people’s success. I feel gratitude towards Pioneer for hiring me on at SCDC when I had such a long criminal record. They believed in me and have promoted me, recognizing my desire to grow and succeed.”
“Recovery is a decision you have to make yourself and really want, but it is so powerful to get support on your journey. It is a great feeling to wake up in the morning and feel good – feel grateful to be alive.”