Billy Jack first encountered Pathways Home while navigating a challenging chapter of life: incarceration in the Wisconsin prison system. “I had a plan for release but was unsure and scared of how to make it happen,” they shared. Like many returning citizens, their immediate concerns centered on finding work, transportation, and the support needed to reintegrate into the community.
Meeting Needs, Creating Opportunity
Pathways Home, in collaboration with the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, provided critical resources to address these challenges. “My needs upon release were to find work and transportation. The challenge is that I live 2 miles outside of my rural community and do have my driving privileges revoked,” Billy Jack explained.
To bridge the gap, Pathways offered gas cards, volunteer support, and even a bicycle, dramatically reducing stress and providing independence. “I also received a bicycle which was a game-changer in terms of reducing my stress and in saving me time. My specialist found a resource that provided me with a free computer.”
These tools were more than practical necessities—they became stepping stones to new skills and confidence. “I was able to take two classes and have received a Project Management Certification and will receive my Wisconsin Peer Specialist Certification in August. These classes not only afforded me new job skills but allowed me to gain confidence as I reentered the community and job market.”
Setting Goals, Reaching Higher
Initially, Billy Jack’s goals were modest, shaped by lessons learned while incarcerated: “In prison, they taught me that to avoid recidivism, I would need a home, a support network, and a job. Fortunately, the only one I was missing was a job. I just wanted to get out of prison and get home to my family and support.”
With guidance from their Pathways specialist, Caylen, Billy Jack began to dream bigger. “I knew I would need a job ASAP, and at first I thought that would be factory work or McDonald’s, which it was. But my specialist encouraged me to set goals of what I truly wanted, and that was a full-time job in human services.”
While logistical challenges required some adjustments, perseverance and support paid off: “My next best idea was a full-time remote position. Which as of July 17th, I secured! I am overjoyed at the goals I have set and met in my short time out of incarceration. I put in the work and utilized the resources Pathways so generously offered, and I’ve done my best with the opportunities I have been given.”
A Roadmap to Success
For someone recently released from prison, the path forward can feel unclear. “The roadmap to achieve my goals was unclear for me at first. I was in prison, and nothing seemed possible while still looking at those walls and officers in charge of my capabilities. When I was able to meet my specialist outside of the prison walls, I felt like I had some control over my successes.”
Together, Billy Jack and Caylen built a structured plan: updating resumes, applying for jobs, starting part-time if needed, and completing classes to boost employability. Consistent communication—from phone calls to texts to in-person meetings—kept them accountable and motivated. “Caylen believed in me, without even knowing me, until I could believe in myself, and that is truly something special and important.”
Transformative Growth and New Horizons
The transformation was profound. “I am different from when I first entered the program by my ability to ask for help and accepting it when people reach back. Before prison, I felt my problems were my own and had a hard time sharing them. I would struggle unnecessarily and fail often.” With the support of Pathways Home, Billy Jack has embraced collaboration, confidence, and ambition.
Looking ahead, his goals continue to expand. “My new goals for the future are to maintain full-time employment and work on stabilizing my financial situation. I want to explore employment opportunities with the Peer Specialist Certification I am earning thanks to Pathways. Dreaming BIG, I really want to return to higher education and earn my Masters degree in Social Work or Counseling Psychology. My varied and adverse experiences and my successes through them will make me an excellent service provider in these fields.”
Update: Billy Jack has since passed their exam and is now a Certified Peer Specialist with DHS!
A Journey of Perseverance, Positivity, and Purpose
Through this journey, Billy Jack has maintained a positive and proactive attitude. “I am proactive, productive, and I persevere. I can dig deep and push through. I can also be patient, quiet and know not to react. I think I am caring, helpful and healing more each day.”
Their story illustrates the impact of holistic support programs like Pathways Home and the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, showing that with encouragement, practical resources, and guidance, returning citizens can transform challenges into opportunities.
“Most importantly I’ve learned that I am not done yet,” Billy Jack reflected. Indeed, their journey is a powerful testament to resilience, growth, and the transformative power of support in the community.
WIOA in this area made possible by the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board.
