"Just Trying to Love Somebody"

This nonprofit youth organization 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 that large population of youths, students migrating from high school directly into the prison system, pipeline from school to prison, our founding members—men and women serving on the frontlines of California’s correctional facilities—committed themselves to reaching at-risk youth in our communities.

With decades of experience in communication, conflict resolution, and behavioral intervention developed inside correctional institutions, these dedicated professionals began applying their expertise within California’s Unified School Districts. in effort to reach these deserving youths .

our mission is to support students and families in crisis before they ever enter the criminal justice system.

 for us, this work is deeply personal. Too far often, the youth we encounter behind prison walls arrive without 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, we (CTD) took responsibility for our role in public safety beyond the gates and partnered directly with schools and the School districts Student  Attendance Review Boards (SARB). Together, we work to identify students at risk of academic failure or dropout and provide the mentorship, support, and accountability needed to help them graduate on time—and stay free of our prisons.

This is more than prevention. It is redemption. It is the transformation of our profession into a force for our professional obligation to community involvement, for youth support, healing, guidance, and hope. our experience speaks volumes.

The purpose of Continuingthedream (CTD) is to help dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline through partnership and collaboration.

Our Board is composed of experienced, knowledgeable correctional professionals—primarily retirees—who bring a lifetime of expertise in communication, mentorship, and community engagement. Through their long-standing careers in law enforcement, they have developed the skills, insight, and credibility to positively influence behavior and redirect youth toward a more promising path.

These retired and active-duty professionals have impacted lives across countless communities. They’ve listened to thousands of personal stories from incarcerated individuals—stories of where things went wrong, how poor decisions were made, and what might have helped prevent their incarceration. They’ve taken these lessons to heart and now strive to share their insight and power with the youth in our schools—because that is where prevention begins.

This dedicated team is committed to using their hard-earned experience to uplift and empower the next generation. Through positive intervention, compassionate guidance, and a deep understanding of the criminal justice system, they are helping change the narrative for our school-age youth.

In partnership with School Attendance Review Boards (SARB) and resource specialists within California's Unified School Districts, our board provides strategic leadership, direct mentorship, and school-based support services.

The CTD Board of Directors includes:

• Six or more retired prison wardens
• California school educational administrator
•  parole unit representative administratively
• A representative from a California Unified School District
  
• Several retired correctional officers and staff from various CDCR classifications
   

Our volunteer pool is made up of retired, active-duty, and current CDCR employees. They generously donate their time to participate in school board hearings across the state, directly addressing behavioral and attendance issues with students and their families.

These seasoned professionals are not just offering their time—they are giving their hearts, their wisdom, and their unwavering commitment to preventing young people from ever entering the criminal justice system.

n 1974, the California Legislature enacted Education Code (EC) Section 48320 to strengthen the enforcement of compulsory education laws and to divert students with chronic attendance or behavioral issues from the juvenile justice system—only after all available resources have been fully utilized.

EC Section 48321 further established the framework for creating School Attendance Review Boards (SARB) at both the local and county levels across California. These boards serve as a critical safety net for students facing persistent educational challenges by providing targeted intervention and support.

At Continuing the Dream (CTD), our goal is to activate this safety net with the added strength of experienced correctional professionals. Our team of retired and active CDCR personnel brings with them decades of community-facing communication and intervention skills—typically averaging 25 to 30 years of service. Through their careers in law enforcement, they have developed a deep understanding of the conditions and decisions that lead youth into the criminal justice system.

They’ve heard thousands of personal accounts from incarcerated individuals—stories of how, when, and why they went down the wrong path. These testimonies serve as a powerful resource for prevention, not punishment.

We aim to share that wisdom with those who need it most: our school-aged youth. This is our audience. This is our mission.

By partnering with SARBs and educational resource specialists within California’s Unified School Districts, CTD works to provide mentorship, guidance, and early intervention for students at risk of academic failure, suspension, or expulsion. Our goal is simple but urgent: to use our experience to change lives before incarceration becomes a reality.