Todd’s life is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of second chances. Once a promising student and multi-sport athlete, Todd’s early life was shaped by deep trauma—including his mother’s suicide attempt—and being raised by his grandmother. As he got older, he became entangled with the wrong crowd and ultimately ended up incarcerated at age 26. He would spend the next 21 years behind bars.
During that time, Todd committed himself to change. He earned his GED, took college courses, and immersed himself in psychology classes, believing that feeding the mind is just as important as feeding the body. That mindset laid the foundation for the life he would begin building after his release at 47.
Reentering society came with its share of challenges: adjusting to a world that had changed dramatically, reconnecting with loved ones, and navigating the job market. But Todd found critical support through the HIRE Program (Help In Reentry Employment Education) at Alvis, which he was introduced to through a halfway house. From the start, he was struck by the wealth of resources available—forklift training, OSHA certification, access to computers—and the compassion of staff members like Ms. Deb, whose honest encouragement pushed him to keep going even when things felt overwhelming.
With the support of Alvis, Todd has made significant progress. He’s secured essential documents, earned certifications, and built a consistent routine centered on growth. But perhaps most importantly, he’s rediscovered his purpose. He’s actively encouraging others coming home from incarceration to connect with Alvis and is in the early stages of launching a nonprofit aimed at supporting at-risk youth. His mission: to give back to the community he once harmed by offering mentoring, tutoring, and positive alternatives to life on the streets.
When asked what the program means to him, Todd doesn’t hesitate. “Great,” he says. And when completing the sentence, “Because of Alvis, I am now…”, Todd finishes with quiet confidence: “a better man.”