When Gilberto Sepulveda was released from prison in 2019, the process of reintegration into society engulfed him until he crossed paths with a woman named Ruth.
"She introduced me to the Rising Scholars Program," he recalled. "At that time, I wasn't even sure I wanted to try for my high school diploma."
The Rising Scholars Program supports justice-impacted students through quality education, job training, and comprehensive services designed to help them achieve their goals and feel supported as they transition into college.
Sepulveda gave it a try, but soon realized he wasn't tech-savvy enough to keep up. He stepped away, though the desire to finish high school never left him.
As he became more involved with community organizations, he met Anthony Garcia from Santa Ana College's School of Continuing Education outreach team. Garcia recognized Sepulveda's potential and walked him through every step of his return to education. Then came Rising Scholars counselor Patricia Tejeda, another force who would shape his path.
"I grew up in Santa Ana, in areas surrounded by gangs and violence, so I feel I was always around systems-impacted individuals, including some in my family," Tejeda said. "While in high school I always liked helping others and saw education as a way to change your life because it had changed mine."
Together, Garcia and Tejeda became pillars of support.
"Both became crucial in helping me earn my diploma 30 years after I should have graduated," Sepulveda said. "Even a year after I finished, they still check in on me. Those small moments, a text, an email, a quick hello, gave me a sense of worth I didn't think I had."
Although he had been impacted by gangs, violence, drugs, and incarceration, the unwavering belief others had in him empowered him to advance in higher education.
At Santa Ana College's School of Continuing Education, he graduated with honors in 2024. Now a white tassel, symbolizing his achievement, swings from his car's rearview mirror. He was also awarded a scholarship, a recognition reserved for students who meet rigorous academic standards.
Today, Sepulveda is a human services major at Cal State Fullerton and is expected to graduate in the fall of 2026 where he will begin his master's in social work.
For formerly incarcerated individuals that are hesitant to pack their backpacks and head to school, Sepulveda encourages them to take the leap of faith.
"Choose the classroom over the cell, you are worthy of that choice," he said.
A New Purpose: Supporting Youth Through Project Kinship
Sepulveda's reintegration into society became his life's work.
Introduced to Project Kinship in 2019, he first joined restorative circles as a participant. Later, he stepped into roles of support as a Peer Navigator, then in several staff positions. Today, he is Project Kinship's Youth Transformation Program Coordinator, working with justice-impacted youth as young as 12.
"It's heavy on the heart," he admits. "But every day I wake up motivated. Even the smallest transformations matter."
He describes the program as a safe space where young people learn emotional literacy, work through insecurities and begin choosing better paths forward.
"We're helping them decide to make choices that move them away from recidivism or worse," he said. "All the heavy work is worth it if I can positively influence one young life."