The Hustler Files with Lisa Reilly - Stories That Challenge What You Thought You Knew

When Judy Issacson Elias launched the Heroes To Heroes organization in 2010 to help War Zone Veterans who had suffered moral injury she couldn't have imagined that almost 13 years later she, her staff, and her volunteers would have positively impacted 350 veterans and have 750 on a waiting list to join her 18-month program that includes a 10-day biblical journey of faith, to Israel. Seventeen veterans commit suicide every day in the United States and Judy says that to impact veterans suffering from moral injury, is at the core, all about faith.

In days of old the local Sheriff would protect the town and lock up the 'bad guys' until the Circuit Judge showed up for a trial and a sentencing. There were no 'reentry' programs, support services or opportunities to redeem oneself. Modern times, in most cases has changed the thought process around reform and reentry and thankfully people like Sheriff Patrick J. Cahillane of the Hampshire County Sheriff's Department believe that the offerings of resources, such as housing, for those he calls 'de-incarcerated' are not only needed but life-changing to prevent recidivism.

Most of humanity has experienced a 'worst moment' in life. If you're Behind The Wall, other than a rare few, in that your worst moment, you broke the law. Business Strategist, Author and Advocate for Second Chance Hiring Jeffrey Korzenik says, "Whether through resources available in your facility or available after your release, demonstrate that you are not defined by your worst moment". This is the case of former inmate Gabriel Santiago who took advantage of the resources and connections available after his re-entry back into society, and with the help of Mark Mitchell, the AISS Mentorship Program Coordinator, Gabe is now an AISS Volunteer Mentor and a Care Coordinator at the Stonybrook Stabilization & Treatment Center,(STCC).

Whether you're getting ready to re-enter the world post-incarceration or you're on probation or parole or you are just struggling with drugs, employment, housing, and more, the All-Inclusive Support Services Program is ready and available to help! AISS is a division of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, and they provide access to individualized services no matter what level of help you need, AND they were the first full-service reentry program in the U.S., launching in 1996! Of course, there is SO much more at AISS than could be covered in this episode so paste this link in your browser - http://hcsdma.org/aiss-3/ for more information.

In this final episode of Season One, the focus is on the white collar executive mentor. While a rare breed to former offenders, it is certainly a most needed one, as you’ll hear from Tim O’Rourke, mentor, advisor, teacher, and friend to this universe of future entrepreneurs whose re-entry into society has at times, more bars than from whence they came.

In this 2nd to the last episode of our inaugural season, we circle back with La’Kia Young.  She’s still hustling and putting the pieces of her life back together, but she hasn't quit.  By keeping her feet on the ground while she looks to the stars, her personal and professional journey to be a productive citizen and an entrepreneur is still unfolding, and we’re still rooting for Kia and the success we know she deserves.

Peter Drucker said, "the best way to predict the future is to create it".  Keron started creating his future the minute he arrived in prison. Over seven years he read close to 1000 books, books that would prepare him for a successful future as an entrepreneur and productive citizen.  But creating one's future is never ending and Keron, now an effective executive, and business owner continues to self- educate with some help from the father of modern management, an unlikely but successful pairing.

Choice - right vs. wrong, left vs. right, up vs. down, in vs. out, today vs. tomorrow. Sounds easy, but for many with a criminal background, it wasn't, until one day, along their redemptive path, making a choice, chooses them.  

There's a saying, 'you don't know what you don't know' so in this bonus episode of The Hustler Files we'll take you back to the beginning of how it all started and perhaps you'll be inspired to start your own podcast about something you're passionate about. 

For Keron, he has planned his freedom with precise detail and no intention of ever returning to prison. But as he did behind bars, is his decisive strategy, and targeted execution enough to put his dreams into motion? or does he need some divine intervention?