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Success Stories
Brandi’s story: From never having a “real” job, to Customer Care Specialist, living a new restored life.
After completing the 70×7 pre-employment program, Brandi was placed at Trendway Corporation, one of 70×7’s partnering employers. On December 4, 2015, Brandi started on the panel line where she worked for 2-1/2 years. She then transferred to the UPS/Packing department for the next year and a half. With no expectation of being offered an office job, on February 3, 2020, Brandi began her new career as the Architectural Products Customer Care Specialist.
Michael’s Story: Moving from Acceptance to Success
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I was just looking for acceptance. When I was 16 years old I was sentenced to life in prison without parole. While in prison, I gave my life to God. I remember telling him I was okay with being in there until I was 99 years old.
“Now I’m free. I was released from prison after 29 years. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t even make simple decisions for myself. 70×7 helped me mature and grow. They have a heart for people and they want to see you succeed. 70×7 showed me the acceptance I always longed for in life. I pray I can take care of my family, have a family of my own, and serve God. Thanks to 70×7, I’ve adapted my life for success.”
Amalia’s Story: From felon, to 70×7 graduate, to 70×7 Board Member
A key factor in Amalia’s remarkable journey of restoration has been her mentor, Carole. “People would never put us together, but here we are. Carole is my mentor for life.”, says Amalia. Carole sums up the relationship, “Amalia has been easy to love, because she is so responsive. Maybe she thought I was a bit crazy at first, but we were each vulnerable at the right times to build trust. And here we are now, with a precious friendship.”
Antonio’s Story: A 70×7 graduate who now mentors others
Many of our graduates now volunteer to help those returning home from prison. One example is Antonio, who serves as an individual mentor and a contributor in our CLEAR program. “CLEAR brings together those recently released, law enforcement, and former offenders.” says Rod Mendoza, a Community Policing Officer of Holland Public Safety.
“A key element of the CLEAR program success is the brave, vulnerable, and empathetic contributions of former offenders, like Antonio. These fine men devote their time, successes, failures, and lessons learned to the newly released. They also hold these men accountable from a perspective of ‘Been there, done that’, in hopes of helping them navigate the challenges faced upon being released from prison.”
Premier Finishing Creates a Culture for Acceptance and Growth
Premier Finishing is a long-time 70×7 employer partner. Josh Ribbens explains, “We are constantly striving to create a culture of understanding. Humans are human, and everything that is involved with that, criminal background or not. We have always tried to work from the position of understanding that everyone has stuff in their life. We try our best to be non-judgmental and accept people for who they are and where they are in their life. It feels like whether or not we do this, the reality of humans is that we are all pretty broken. If we can try to start from this baseline, things seem to work out better.”
Abcor Industries: “This place isn’t about your past; it’s about your future”
With roughly 2/3 of their employees being returning citizens, Abcor has taken a real leap of faith. CEO and co-owner J. T. Weis explained, “Think about someone whose arrest and conviction make the news. Think about the prison experience. There’s not much self-worth left when someone is released. What happens at Abcor is a dignity exchange. The employees are treated with dignity and respect and in return, they exhibit their dignity through their workmanship and teamwork.”
Brandi’s story: From never having a “real” job, to Customer Care Specialist, living a new restored life.
After completing the 70×7 pre-employment program, Brandi was placed at Trendway Corporation, one of 70×7’s partnering employers. On December 4, 2015, Brandi started on the panel line where she worked for 2-1/2 years. She then transferred to the UPS/Packing department for the next year and a half. With no expectation of being offered an office job, on February 3, 2020, Brandi began her new career as the Architectural Products Customer Care Specialist.
Michael’s Story: Moving from Acceptance to Success
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I was just looking for acceptance. When I was 16 years old I was sentenced to life in prison without parole. While in prison, I gave my life to God. I remember telling him I was okay with being in there until I was 99 years old.
“Now I’m free. I was released from prison after 29 years. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t even make simple decisions for myself. 70×7 helped me mature and grow. They have a heart for people and they want to see you succeed. 70×7 showed me the acceptance I always longed for in life. I pray I can take care of my family, have a family of my own, and serve God. Thanks to 70×7, I’ve adapted my life for success.”
“Now I’m free. I was released from prison after 29 years. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t even make simple decisions for myself. 70×7 helped me mature and grow. They have a heart for people and they want to see you succeed. 70×7 showed me the acceptance I always longed for in life. I pray I can take care of my family, have a family of my own, and serve God. Thanks to 70×7, I’ve adapted my life for success.”
Amalia’s Story: From felon, to 70×7 graduate, to 70×7 Board Member
A key factor in Amalia’s remarkable journey of restoration has been her mentor, Carole. “People would never put us together, but here we are. Carole is my mentor for life.”, says Amalia. Carole sums up the relationship, “Amalia has been easy to love, because she is so responsive. Maybe she thought I was a bit crazy at first, but we were each vulnerable at the right times to build trust. And here we are now, with a precious friendship.”
Antonio’s Story: A 70×7 graduate who now mentors others
Many of our graduates now volunteer to help those returning home from prison. One example is Antonio, who serves as an individual mentor and a contributor in our CLEAR program. “CLEAR brings together those recently released, law enforcement, and former offenders.” says Rod Mendoza, a Community Policing Officer of Holland Public Safety.
“A key element of the CLEAR program success is the brave, vulnerable, and empathetic contributions of former offenders, like Antonio. These fine men devote their time, successes, failures, and lessons learned to the newly released. They also hold these men accountable from a perspective of ‘Been there, done that’, in hopes of helping them navigate the challenges faced upon being released from prison.”
Jessica’s Story: From offender to role model
Jessica became a 70×7 graduate after serving five years at Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility. She is now the Teen Program Coordinator at the Momentum Center for Social Engagement. After graduating from the 70×7 program, Jessica was placed with Global Concepts, a 70×7 partnering employer. “I had never worked in a factory before”, says Jessica, “so to say that I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I loved the environment, I made friends quickly and nobody judged me about my past.” According to Human Resources Manager, Diane Ybarra, “Jessica was a delightful member of our GC family, exceptional in so many ways. She was hard-working and a true friend to all she encountered. We were very sad to see her leave, but knew that God had a plan for her, and we were a stepping-stone on her journey.”
Premier Finishing Creates a Culture for Acceptance and Growth
Premier Finishing is a long-time 70×7 employer partner. Josh Ribbens explains, “We are constantly striving to create a culture of understanding. Humans are human, and everything that is involved with that, criminal background or not. We have always tried to work from the position of understanding that everyone has stuff in their life. We try our best to be non-judgmental and accept people for who they are and where they are in their life. It feels like whether or not we do this, the reality of humans is that we are all pretty broken. If we can try to start from this baseline, things seem to work out better.”
Abcor Industries: “This place isn’t about your past; it’s about your future”
With roughly 2/3 of their employees being returning citizens, Abcor has taken a real leap of faith. CEO and co-owner J. T. Weis explained, “Think about someone whose arrest and conviction make the news. Think about the prison experience. There’s not much self-worth left when someone is released. What happens at Abcor is a dignity exchange. The employees are treated with dignity and respect and in return, they exhibit their dignity through their workmanship and teamwork.”
Out of incarceration
into a life of purpose
into a life of purpose
Out of incarceration
into a life of purpose
into a life of purpose
