A Journey of Transformation: Samantha’s Story
For Samantha Martin, life took an unexpected turn in 2021 when she found herself incarcerated and facing an uncertain future. Before then, she had never even heard of The Sharing Center (TSC). But when two employees brought ProjectRISE into the jail, everything changed. “I went through the classes, and when I got out, I knew I could turn to them if I needed any kind of assistance,” Samantha recalls.
After her release, unemployed and living in a transitional home, Samantha made the courageous choice to attend ProjectRISE once again. This time, it wasn’t just about learning workplace skills and emotional intelligence—it was about rebuilding her life from the ground up. With other women from her transitional home by her side, she found herself becoming part of a community she never knew existed.
“Being in ProjectRISE felt like I was part of something bigger. People wee serious about getting the help they needed, and those leading the way—like Mr. Marcos and Mr. Sam—put their hearts into helping us succeed.” Through the program, Samantha gained confidence, learned how to manage her emotions in the workplace, and created a professional resume that opened doors she thought were closed forever.
Today, Samantha’s life looks remarkably different. She now works as an Intake Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems and drives her own vehicle. Though she continues to live in the transitional home, her sights are set on full independence. “I’m slowly leveling up,” she says, reflecting on her journey. “This will be my year to be fully independent. I can’t thank all the moving pieces enough for making this possible for me and so many others.”
Samantha’s story is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the support offered by The Sharing Center. As she steps into her new future, she brings with her the lessons, hope, and strength that ProjectRISE gave her—and she’s not done yet.
