"Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done." It's a quote from author Bryan Stevenson, and a statement that echoes through the mind of Ruben Gaona daily. Having been incarcerated for nearly seven years, Ruben knew that this time in his life and the mistakes that made it possible do not, and should not, define who he is. Yet, upon re-entering his community, he found that many of the people who had the ability to offer help and guidance simply believed the opposite—he is a convicted criminal, end of story. Despite being a hard-working veteran, they could not overlook the worst thing he's ever done. Battling these narrow-minded beliefs and judgements became difficult for Ruben, someone who was only trying to find work to support himself and contribute to society. So, aware he was not alone in this fight and determined to succeed, Ruben decided to take matters into his own hands. Recently, he co-founded The Way Out—an anti-bias employment platform that helps decrease recidivism through gainful employment and ongoing support services. This is the story of how Ruben used perseverance, optimism, and focus to bring this organization to life. (To donate directly to The Way Out, click here!)
