What we do
We are a recovery based 501 (c) 3, nonprofit re-entry organization, registered with the state of California, to help formerly incarcerated women succeed. Life skills, job skills, parenting, mental wellness, recovery, anger management, and most important stay out of jails and prisons!
Our vision
Using a hands-on approach SOSU is an action oriented organization that is responsive to the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals, ensuring that we collectively reduce barriers. We also focus on the LGBTQ+ formerly incarcerated community facing so much more barriers.
Our values
Dignity
Integrity
Public safety
Life skills
Questions and answers
What is the process of reentry?
Reentry is the process of ending a period of incarceration, leaving jail or prison, and returning to society. Not to be confused with reintegration or recidivism, reentry is not a measure of success or failure. Instead, reentry is a journey, and no two reentries are analogous.
What is prison reentry?
Prisoner reentry is the process by which prisoners who have been released return to the community. Many types of programs have been implemented with the goal of reducing recidivism and have been found to be effective for this purpose.
What is the purpose of reentry?
Reentry programs and reentry courts are designed to help returning citizens successfully "reenter" society following their incarceration, thereby reducing recidivism, improving public safety, and saving money.
What is the recidivism rate for prisons?
The U.S. has one of the highest: 76.6% of prisoners are rearrested within five years. Among the Norway's prison population that was unemployed prior to their arrests, they saw a 40% increase in their employment rates once released.
We need these numbers in the US. Formerly incarcerated persons who maintained employment for one year post-release had only a 16% recidivism rate over three years as compared to a 52% recidivism rate for those who did not maintain employment.
Is employment associated with reduced recidivism?
The researchers found that employment is associated with reduced recidivism, with the association “strongest for those who were sentenced for property and economic offenses and least strong for those who were sentenced for violent and traffic offenses” (Skardhamar & Telle, 2012, p. 646-647).
What is the recidivism rate in the US 2020?
The U.S. releases over 7 million people from jail and more than 600,000 people from prison each year. However, recidivism is common. Within 3 years of their release, 2 out of 3 people are rearrested and more than 50% are incarcerated again.
About Us
Celita Garcia CEO/Founder
About our CEO/Founder, in their own words....
Celita Garcia, I started my first job in 1974 the summer before my senior year, at a local warehouse/factory assembling perfume kits. With a keen eye I was able to see the factory for what it was.
A large building with pallets of merch, forklifts that kept bringing more parts to assemble. At t
About our CEO/Founder, in their own words....
Celita Garcia, I started my first job in 1974 the summer before my senior year, at a local warehouse/factory assembling perfume kits. With a keen eye I was able to see the factory for what it was.
A large building with pallets of merch, forklifts that kept bringing more parts to assemble. At that time I thought to myself, one day I’m going to drive that lift. After graduating from High School and dropping out of College after my second year, I went on to work one job to another in all types of fields. Unfortunately, my Father was sick with Cancer, he started to fall out of his chair as I tried to hold him up we both fell to the floor, he passed away in my arms. I was unable to grieve, to comprehend what just happened, which led me to rebel and enter a life of drug use, breaking the law, jails and prisons. After many years of living on the brink of death, even waking up in a bodybag and still not done using. I decided to try something different. Hence a 12 step program. I have been clean since Aug 31st 1991 from ANY mind altering substance which is over 29 years. As a member of the program I have been blessed to travel around the USA and other countries to help others.
I am convinced that If I can learn a new way to live, anyone can. It is my dream to give away what I have, to help others that want to change.
My parole date was Feb. 19th, 1993 and I discharged from parole on Feb. 03, 1994.
I started working April 1993 after completing rehab and was hired a few months later as a fulltime supervisor Oct 1993.
I've worked in every department in that warehouse and have run various departments on my own, even an entire shift. I was one of the first that learned and was certified to drive all forklifts and pallet jacks.
I then I saw the need to help others that were paroling to rehab and had no skills, no job history, no experience. I thought to myself, "one day I will help others obtain what I have".
I now have over 40 years experience in warehousing, assembly, factory, and still currently certified on every type of forklift, stand up, sit down, and everything under the roof.
This is my dream. I thank you for your time, support and interest in this accomplishment.
Photo Gallery
Knowing that i should be dead from all my drug use, to be recognized in this manner; still brings me to tears.
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My Blog
STEP OUT STEP UP IS A REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW. EIN # 82-1275494
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