David Johnson (name changed to preserve anonymity)
Like many children of the 70s my parents were divorced when I was very young. Growing up my Mom struggled with unemployment, depression and trying to make ends meet on a very limited income. I remember at the worst of times not having electricity in our apartment because it was either pay the electric bill or buy groceries.
As I got older things improved for us. My Mom found steady work and the worries of my childhood seemed to have disappeared. It was around this time that I discovered methamphetamines. Although my family was able to make ends meet, I had sunk into a very dark world. Drugs affected every element of my life and before I knew it I was an adult with no high school diploma and professional skills.
Throughout the better part of my adult life I bounced from one dead end job to another. As I put drugs aside and made peace with my life, I found little room for advancement for someone with my background. This was the case until I came to Social Imprints.
Social Imprints gave me the tools and skill set I needed to advance beyond the hourly wage job and start to build a career for me and my wife. Social Imprints gave me not only a chance, but hope for a better future. Hopefully I can give my kids a happy healthy childhood that I never had.
Kevin McCracken
Trying to find gainful employment as an ex-felon is a story I am all too familiar with. Ten years ago I served a short sentence in San Francisco County Jail and one year in a residential recovery program for felony drug possession. Even with a good resume and great references the felony on my record made potential employers uneasy, and unwilling to give me a chance. Spending most of my adult life under the influence of various drugs and alcohol, and being sober for the first time did not make the process any easier. More importantly my confidence was shattered after getting rejected from several jobs that I knew that I was qualified for.
I was lucky enough to get an interview with Ashbury Images, one of the few programs at the time that encouraged ex-offenders to apply. They were not just accepting of my past but wanted to know what I could contribute to their organization. In 1999 I was hired part time to do administrative duties. I quickly moved into sales and became the Associate Director. And believe it or not after the General Manager left I became the leader of the organization after only six years
During those six years a lot changed. I found the confidence to become not only a good manager, but I became an industry expert and discovered that giving back was the most rewarding thing about my job. After a short break in 2008 to manage a contract screen printing shop, I realized that something was missing. That drive to create opportunities for people like myself was no longer the main focus of my life, and I was feeling drained and stressed all the time.
I was then approached by Jeff Sheinbein to work on the project that has become Social Imprints. This is the greatest opportunity of my life. I am coming into 2009 with my first company and my new baby girl. I am very excited about positively affecting the lives of people (like me) who are looking for a second chance in life
Cyrus Ledesma
I come from a Blue collar middle class family. Both of my parents were hard working immigrants from the Philippines. For the most part I grew up a pretty normal. I played baseball and football, was fairly popular and had plenty of friends. For me addiction started in my High School years and I didn’t even know it. My mom always reminded me that my friends were going to get me into trouble, and of course like any teenager I rebelled. I did the exact opposite of what she wanted me to do. I started cutting classes; quit playing sports and started smoking marijuana and drinking almost every day with my friends. I was lucky to have graduated from High School.
After High School I hung out with my high school buddies and that’s when I was introduced to Meth. At first it was occasionally but then it became more and more frequent. I was getting in trouble with the law, missing work and stealing from my parents. Like all addicts, I was in denial. No-one in my family trusted me or allowed me into their homes but I convinced my mom to let me move back home where I cleaned up for a short time.
After I moved home I met my future wife through a friend of mine. I was clean, healthy and happy. Soon after I got married we had a beautiful baby boy. Unfortunately I started using again. My recreational usage turned into a full blow addiction where I was using everyday.
I lived on the street, in my car and on friend’s couches for nearly 2 years. I went back to dealing so I can support my habit and make some money to live. In 2001 I totally hit rock bottom when I got caught with a significant amount of meth. I was convicted of felony Possession and was issued a 6 month sentence in the county jail. My wife was the only visitor I had while I was incarcerated. I swore to myself that I would not allow myself to fall into the grasp of addiction again. When I was released I paid my restitution, entered into and completed an outpatient drug rehab program to help me learn how to stay sober and fulfilled my probationary period. I reunited with my wife who had filed for divorce and sole custody of my son. I have been sober 9 years. Since then my family has expanded. I now have 2 boys and a little girl.
When I was ready to re-enter the workforce I found it incredibly difficult to find a job because of my Felony conviction and the bad economy. Social Imprints not only embraced my past but helped me to feel comfortable with it. It’s very encouraging to know that there are companies like Social Imprints that are more interested in my future than my past. They have given me a huge opportunity to earn a comfortable living and apply my passion for sales. I am very grateful that I can contribute my sales skills to a company that gives people like me a second chance in life.
Ramón Estévez
Growing up, I was a creative minded person with a family that did everything to support me and my endeavors. At the age of 15 by I was bonding with musicians and bands trying to develop my creative side. At the age of 19, I moved to Los Angeles to be at the forefront of a burgeoning new creative scene in Los Angeles.
As stress of my life started to increase, I slowly began to turn away from my life, and found comfort in drugs and alcohol. At the age of 21, I was a full-fledged heroin addict and alcoholic. I managed to maintain my addiction for years, with varying levels of success. Relationships, both personal and professional began to disintegrate. By the time I got sober on my 26th birthday, I was broke and destitute. I severed myself from my own life and dreams, and was a walking shell. After a few failed attempts at sobriety I finally got clean and went through an awakening of sorts.
Rebuilding my professional career in sobriety has been a long and tenuous journey. Through a lot of footwork and keeping sobriety at the forefront of my endeavors, I was able to find my footing once again in the professional world. Having previously worked with Kevin McCracken, he approached me about Social Imprints I immediately jumped at the chance to work with them.
I’m extremely fortunate to be involved in graphic arts a profession that I am deeply passionate about. Finding my passion was not easy, but well worth the journey. Having an opportunity to work with Social Imprints also helps me to give back to the community because I have an opportunity to train other addicts and help them to nurture their passion. Social Imprints has given me so much more than a job. They have given me a new start on life.
Seth Peterson
My relationship with drugs was fairly innocent through high school and college. I experimented with the usual culprits, alcohol and marijuana. It was not until my twenties that I discovered meth for the first time. All it took was that one time for me to get addicted. From that point forward every decision and choice that I made was influenced by my addiction to meth.
For the next ten years I was consumed by my addiction. Drugs became the most important thing in my life. As if using wasn’t bad enough, I also began selling crystal. During my years as a drug dealer I had jobs that were nothing more than a cover for my dealing. Over the years I was caught twice by the authorities. That was enough to stop me from selling but in no way did it affect my usage. I was now forced to find a new way to support my pricey habit. I started my own business and with a little luck and the ability to work 24 hours a day – due to the affects of meth – the business did very well.
My life would soon crumble after finding out that my mother had died. I was so consumed in my addiction and selfish behavior that my family’s only way to inform me of my mother’s death was to leave a voicemail that I did not retrieve for several days.
Shortly before my mother’s passing I met my partner Rick. If it was not for his support and encouragement I am not sure if I would have made it out of the darkness. The next couple years were not easy. I managed to stop using meth, but only to begin an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. My alcohol use turned me into a complete monster. On Feb. 14th, 2008 I blacked out – during one of my many drinking binges – and severely beat my partner. This resulted in my arrest and court ordered 60 day treatment. I am very grateful for the support I received from my partner and family during this period of recovery.
Having run my business into the ground and burned many bridges along the way, I found it very difficult to find employment. I am grateful to have found Social Imprints. This is a company that has given me the 2nd chance I so desperately needed. While I will never forget all of the hurt my mistakes have caused, I now have a hopeful and positive outlook on my future.
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