"Just Trying to Love Somebody"

 Continuingthedream (CTD) is a nonprofit youth organization that was founded in 2007 as a direct community relations effort by employees of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Recognizing the urgent need to intervene before students migrate from high school to prison, CTD led the charge against the school to prison pipeline. For us, this work is personal. Far too often, the youth we encounter in prison do not have a high school diploma or basic literacy. We teach them to read, write, focus, and rebuild but we asked ourselves, what if we had reached them sooner? In response, our founding members took responsibility for their role in public safety beyond the prison gates to partner with the school districts and the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) to identify students at risk of academic failure (or dropout) and provide the mentorship, support, resources, and accountability needed to help them graduate on time and stay away from prison. CTD has committed to reaching at-risk youth using their experience in communication, conflict resolution, and behavioral intervention. This is more than prevention, it is redemption. It is the transformation of our profession into a force that promotes healing, guidance, and hope for our community, and most importantly, for our youth. Our experience speaks volumes.

 Our (CTD) Board of Directors is comprised of seasoned  professional, including

Former prison wardens • An educational administrator • A representative from the California Division of Adult Parole Operations • A representative from a California unified school district • Retired correctional officers and staff from various CDCR classifications

 CTD's Board of Directors (Board) are primarily comprised of retirees that offer a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a lifetime of expertise in communication, mentorship, and community engagement.
Their long-standing careers in law enforcement has enhanced their skills, insight, and credibility to positively influence behavior and redirect youth toward a more promising path. Our Board has impacted lives across countless communities. They have listened to thousands of personal stories shared by individuals that are incarcerated, stories of where things went wrong, how poor decisions were made, and what might have helped prevent incarceration.

 The Board took these lessons to heart and are striving to share this insight with at-risk youth because that is where prevention begins. Our Board is not just offering their time, they are giving their hearts, their wisdom, and their unwavering commitment to preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system. They understand the impact of early intervention. They've listened, they've learned, and now they lead

 1974, the California legislators enacted educational code (EC) section 48320  to strengthen  the enforcement of compulsory education laws and to divert students with chronic absenteeism or behavioral issues from the juvenile justice system

furthermore, section 48321 establish the framework for creating the school attendance review board (SARB) At both the local and county levels across California school districts, these board serve as a critical safety net for the school, facing persistent, educational challenges by providing interventions and support for students and families.

At Continuingthedream (CTD) our goal is to enrich the safety net through the expertise of correctional professionals. Our goal is simple but urgent to use our expert professionals  to change the lives before incarceration becomes a reality.