California Reentry Program

07/23/2026

What an unforgettable day at our 5th Annual Friends & Family Reunion Picnic!

This day is always a special reminder of what collective purpose is all about—community, connection, support and celebrating how far we've all come together.

From delicious food, a live DJ, volleyball, a scavenger hunt, and our 360° photo booth (back by popular demand!), the day was filled with laughter, joy, and memories we'll never forget.

Thank you to Sajad Shakoor and Falafel Corner for returning for a second year to serve an incredible meal. We are so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate alongside our community members and to be part of one another's journeys. Moments like these remind us that coming home is only the beginning. Thank you to everyone that made it to this years event.

If you missed this year's picnic we'd love to have you join us next year! Leave a comment or send us an email to be added to our reunion and newsletter mailing list.

As we look ahead to next year, we'd also love to welcome other organizations that support individuals returning home. If your organization is committed to reentry, recovery, housing, employment, education, or community support, we'd love to have you join us in celebrating the strength and resilience of our shared community next year. We can't wait to see you at the next one!

06/04/2026

In keeping with our identity as a community, a core part of what we do at Bonafide is a program called Critical Adventures. Critical adventures are outings that combine a critical learning objective, designed to build functional skills toward independence, with a social or emotional activity, designed to build community and normalize life.
These outings are for people learning to navigate the world after being away for decades, all developed and led by folks who have walked that path themselves, acting together with volunteers from the community.

Critical Adventures build practical skills, such as navigating public transportation, using technology like Google Maps, banking, or applying for a job; the list goes on. But there's also a social objective that helps returning people build a support system and emotionally connect with the community. The bonds and confidence built from these excursions are incredibly valuable. For example, an outing might also be a way to practice getting used to crowds, experiencing new places, asking for help, and making friends through a fun activity. Because we’re really getting to really know the people in our community, we tailor these adventures to each person’s individual needs.

Follow along to see where Critical Adventures take us next!

06/01/2026

This week, we had the honor of welcoming home several members of our community. We wanted to take time out to recognize each of them by name.

To Rodney, Jerome, Jorge, Ronald, Brian, Mary, James, Julian, Ryan, and Andrew ... Welcome Home! 🎉 So grateful to have shared your first moments of freedom together.

Thank you to our Welcome Home drivers that met each person at the gate, shared a first meal together, helped shop for essentials, and made sure they arrived safely where they needed to go. This is only the beginning.

We are a community and Bonafide will continue to walk alongside each of you as a resource, a guide, and a source of friendship, encouragement, and support.

Welcome home. We’re here for each of you every step of the way.

04/22/2026

Welcome Home, Kendra! 🎉

In this month of second chances, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and new beginnings. After 25 years, Kendra is finally home -- stepping into a new chapter filled with hope, healing, and opportunity. Kendra's smile says it all. From the gate to breakfast, shopping to plenty of hugs and smiles, Kendra is free.

Kendra brings humility, kindness, and determination into this next chapter of her life. And as a skilled welder, the future is bright, and she’s ready to build it (or weld it).

Our heartfelt thank you to Asian Prisoner Support Committee and Tammy at Five Keys, Home Free. It takes all of us working together to help make moments like this possible. Thank you for being there for Kendra and supporting so many others in the great work you do.

Moments like these remind us that no matter how long the journey. that first step into freedom is something truly special.

Welcome home Kendra, we are honored to walk alongside you. Your story is just getting started.

04/02/2026

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03/13/2026

Welcome Home, Clifton! 🎉

Clifton left at just 17 years old, and now—20 years later—he has finally walked into freedom. What a moment.

We had the honor of welcoming Clifton home and helping him take his first steps toward a new beginning. Within minutes of his release, he took his first selfie, smiling from ear to ear ... “Freedom at last.”

For over 200 miles, Clifton shared stories about his family, the determination that carried him through his time inside, and his deep gratitude for a second chance. His bright spirit and positive outlook will serve him well as he pursues a career in welding in the journey ahead. Special thanks to Sharon and Jonathan for sharing this moment and making this possible.

The Bonafide community looks forward to walking alongside Clifton on the rest of his journey.

02/27/2026

Welcome Home, Latanya!

This week we were truly blessed to be part of Latanya’s welcome home journey. The morning brought rough conditions — snow, rain, and even highway closures — but through it all, Latanya held strong to her faith that we would be there to get her home safely to her family.

Latanya carries such a gentle spirit, warmth, and an incredible hope for her future. It was an honor to walk alongside her in this moment.

Special shoutout to Mike for making the trip and taking such great care of our community members. 💛

02/26/2026

Welcome Home, Warren! What a gift it was to be there for his first day of freedom after 28 years and to walk beside him in such a powerful moment. We welcomed him at the gate and celebrated with pure joy on the playground — swinging and laughing like kids again. His smile says everything. He shared that, "it felt like being back in elementary school with no worries, wrapped in the arms of grace." Thank you Laverne and Corey for making this possible.

02/06/2026

Welcome Home, Warren! What a gift it was to be there for his first day of freedom after 28 years and to walk beside him in such a powerful moment. We welcomed him at the gate and celebrated with pure joy on the playground — swinging and laughing like kids again. His smile says everything. He shared that, "it felt like being back in elementary school with no worries, wrapped in the arms of grace." Thank you Laverne and Corey for making this possible.

02/06/2026