From Surviving to Thriving: Victoria’s Reentry Journey
When Victoria was preparing to leave prison, she faced the same question many people do upon release: Where do I begin?
Fortunately, she found an answer in the Carnegie Resource Center in Everett.
“If Carnegie had not been there for me, I would not have known where to begin when I was released from the Washington Corrections Center for Women,” said Victoria. “I started by calling the center and immediately experienced positive and helpful support. When I later visited in person, the staff helped guide me through every step of my reentry and recovery journey.”
A New Life
While still incarcerated, Victoria made a life-changing decision. She got clean and sober and committed herself to building a different future—not simply surviving, but truly living. Before her release, she was accepted into an Oxford House, providing a stable and supportive environment for her recovery. On the day she was released, her daughter drove her there and helped her settle into her new home.
Yet Victoria quickly realized that rebuilding a life required more than housing.
“I needed so many things to get back on my feet,” she recalled. “The Carnegie staff encouraged me to tell them everything I needed. They immediately went to work helping me access resources and services, and they made me feel good about myself in the process. It truly felt like a team effort.”
It Takes a Team
That team included Carnegie staff members Shantel Harris, social services coordinator; and Rebecca (Becky) Geyer, director; whose encouragement and dedication left a lasting impression.
“The service I received was so heartfelt,” Victoria said. “Shantel and Becky were on my team, encouraging me and working alongside me to find every resource and service I needed to succeed.”
Among the many resources Carnegie helped connect her to were clothing, hygiene supplies, ORCA bus pass, bedding, job training, employment opportunities, technology support, educational resources, and later a driver’s license and affordable car insurance. Getting her driver’s licence was a huge step as she had not had one since 2015.
Through partnerships with organizations such as Esther’s Place, Cornerstone Church, Bridgeways, Goodwill and the TRAC program, Victoria gained the tools she needed to rebuild her life and pursue her goals. She is very grateful to Ray from Bridgeways for helping her to overcome the challenges to employment. Victoria’s goal was to find and retain a job in the community.
One act of kindness, however, stands out in Victoria’s memory.
“It really pulled on my heart strings when one cold day I met Shantel Harris at the Carnegie Resource Center and she literally gave me the coat off her back. That act of kindness has stayed with me and I will always keep that coat and wear it.”
Education and Building a Career
Victoria made the decision to pursue a Recovery Coach Certification and a career in helping others. The Carnegie staff connected her with Wendy from TRAC who provided a laptop and phone so Victoria could attend online classes and via Zoom, and access job opportunities.
“It made the process of going to school and finding work so much easier because everything is done online today,” Victoria said.
After earning her Recovery Coach Certification, Victoria began applying for positions in the behavioral health field. Within just 45 days, she was hired as a residential specialist at a new 90-day residential treatment facility, where she is an integral part of the team supporting individuals working toward recovery and stability.
Paying It Forward
Today, Victoria also serves as the housing services representative for her Oxford House and regularly shares information about Carnegie’s services with other residents. Determined to give back, she helps others access the same resources that helped her rebuild her life.
“If someone is seeking resources and support offered with a compassionate attitude, then the Carnegie is 100% hands-down the best place to start,” declared Victoria.
Victoria’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when determination is met with opportunity, support, and compassion. Her resilience, hard work, and commitment to helping others have transformed her life—and today she is paying that support forward, helping others find hope and a path toward a brighter future.
At the Carnegie Resource Center, stories like Victoria’s demonstrate that successful reentry is possible when individuals have access to the resources, encouragement, and human connection they need to thrive.
Pictured from left: Victoria and her new boss, Rowell Dela Cruz.