Pathways to Progress Event Brings Together Service Providers to Help Those in the Justice System

The eighth Pathways to Progress Empowerment Fair was held at The Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Library and Learning Center inside the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 15, 2023. The event drew about 70 visitors.

The fair, designed to provide and equip justice-involved individuals and their families with education, employment, community, and health and wellness resources, was presented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender, U.S. Pretrial Services and the U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of California.

The first since 2019, the fair opened with remarks from U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd, Eastern District of California. This year, a clothing drive was added to the mix to provide basic clothing such as sweatpants, jackets and undergarments to recently released supervisees.

The fair brought together several court department representatives who bring valuable resources to clients and their families. Especially important are services for the families of those who are in custody. The Pathways Team includes staff from the FPD Office and its social work team, U.S. Pretrial Services and U.S. Probation Office. The event includes a success panel discussion featuring former clients who shared their success stories.

About 35 agencies and service providers, including representatives from Root & Rebound (reentry advocates), California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Social Security Administration were in attendance providing resources on housing, veteran services, employment, literacy and legal services, and more.

James Cross, who was just released November 1, due to his exceptional conduct, after 19 years in prison, attended the event. “I was there for the resources,” said Cross “I just went to see exactly what they offered.” Cross, who says he “left prison a different man than when I went in,” said being out is “like looking at life through a whole new set of glasses and being able to re-integrate, pro-social as opposed to when I went in and I was anti-social,” he said.

“I had no idea exactly what the event was going to involve until I got there,” Cross said. “I found education resources and work resources. I’m taking advantage of a couple of them.” He also hopes to have his record expunged in a few years so he no longer has to identify himself as a former prisoner. “It gave me hope that I could … have the same rights I had before I became a felon.”

There was more than material support at the event. “Best part, honest to goodness, was when (Judge Drozd) said that returning citizens have a value to the community,” said Cross. “Not only did he become emotional, but so did I. He said we are all pulling on the same oar that is returning these men and women to society. That meant so much coming home. By him expressing that people care and that they want us to see us do good because we are of value to the community, that was just huge.”

Cross definitely recommends the event to “all state and federal returning citizens. I would love to see them come and participate and take advantage of the resources,” he said. “I feel a lot of people make bad decisions—they don’t know how to ask for help. And by this being provided, it normalizes being able to ask for help to get your needs met.”

Crystal Sheffield, non-capital mitigation specialist/social worker for the FPD Office in the Eastern District of California, said some of the sought-after resources included employment/training programs, school, housing resources and financial resources. “So far, I have heard that all tables were well-attended, and the agency representatives enjoyed the event thoroughly,” she said.

“This fair was truly monumental,” said Sheffield, “and probably the most attended and energetic fair to date. “The message we want to send to the clients served by the courthouse is that we care about them, all of us. District Court Judge John Mendez emphasized this point when he spoke at our November 2019 P2P Fair; that thought has been etched in my mind since that day, and I am always reminded that that is the message and the spirit of the Pathways to Progress fairs!”

“We want to not only educate and assist clients who attend the event, but also our entire court family. We were so honored to have several judges in attendance, and they commented on how impressed they were by the collaboration of the team members, and the participation of the community agencies. This is truly a highlight of our combined efforts, and we will hope to continue this event as long as there are needs among the clients we serve,” she said.

Judge Drozd was invited to speak at the event by Tai Gaskins, long-time pretrial services officer in the Eastern District of California. “When Tai described the event to me—one bringing together federal defenders and their social workers, pretrial and probation officers, pretrial and probation supervisees, and the many service providers those supervisees need and use—I immediately understood the value of the event. What a great event it was!” said Judge Drozd.

“There was much present for each group of attendees,” Judge Drozd continued. “For the agencies, seeing all the service providers who have services that may be helpful to their clients was definitely helpful. For the supervisees, I am sure that seeing everyone committed to helping them succeed all gathered together, including judges, provided meaningful encouragement. But hearing the success story of a former supervisee was truly inspiring for everyone in attendance, providing meaning for everything we all are working on.

“I believe that it is important that the supervisees all see how many people from all aspects of the criminal justice system are committed to and working hard at helping them to succeed in putting their lives back together. It’s a great opportunity for team building and motivation for those working in this area. I also believe that events like this do put the judiciary in a good light—and properly so.

“Every judge I know wants the defendants they come in contact with to succeed and to rebuild their lives. Judges may express their commitment to help differently but they all are truly committed to achieving the same result. The courtroom can be a difficult place to shine a light on the judge’s concern for the individuals coming before the court. Events like these give judges an opportunity to express their true concern and support. That, I hope, can send a powerful, supportive message to those coming in contact with the federal criminal justice system,” Judge Drozd concluded.