Summer is a time of growth, warmth, and Free Minds members rising to new challenges and discovering fresh opportunities. Members have graduated from training programs, landed jobs, and deepened their journeys as lifelong learners through our educational workshops and literary spaces.
Discovering Resilience Through Stories
Our Reentry Book Club, The Build Up, continues to thrive with about 160 members gathering weekly to build each other up, share encouragement, and celebrate every milestone on the journey home. Each week, members come together in a safe space where they remind one another that no setback is final and no dream is too far to reach.
Recently, members have been reading Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. In his book, 50 talks about how people hold themselves back when they give in to excuses or give up too soon. He urges readers to outthink obstacles, own their mistakes, and keep pushing forward no matter what life throws their way.
During one of our sessions, members opened up about moments when they gave up too early, how they find the strength to keep going, and what it means to get back up after a fall. Here’s what some had to share:
“When I hit a setback, I remind myself where I came from.” – Marvin
“Theres’s always something more positive to gravitate towards…I may not know what I want to do next, but it has to be something good.” – Derrick