News & events

Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC) Policy Convening and Workshop Last month, we hosted a workshop at Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC) Policy Convening rooted in reflection, collaboration, and shared mission. The gathering brought together organizers, advocates, and leaders to sit with difficult questions about systems, narratives, and power, as well as to imagine what becomes possible when we work together across silos. The convening also more broadly center

As we close out the year, we’re reflecting on the power of lived experience to spark empathy, shift narratives, and drive real change. From growing recognition of our storytelling model to packed film screenings, new writing cohorts, and meaningful legislative wins, this year showed what’s possible when incarcerated voices are centered in conversations about justice, families, and prevention. This edition shares how stories are opening hearts, shaping policy, and helping comm

We are excited to announce we have been recognized in a publication produced by the Yale Justice Collaboratory, which highlights innovative approaches to justice grounded in connection, collaboration, and lived experience. The publication brings together work from across the country that demonstrates how shared stories and collective knowledge can shape more effective and humane systems.  The Notebook is an annual volume that examines how unity can be built across differences

On November 12th, three hundred people came together in the beautiful Mill Valley Library, under the Redwoods, to view our short film, Reflections Behind Bars. It was standing room only.

Read this edition of North Bay Woman. Everyone Has a Story.

We’re thrilled to share our following priority bills have been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom!

Check out this article recapping our UC Berkeley panel and film viewing event titled Reflections Behind Bars: UC Berkeley Law Hosts Film Screening and Panel on Trauma, Storytelling, and Change by David Greenwald of Vanguard News Group. Read the full article now here: https://davisvanguard.org/2025/09/uc-berkeley-reflections-behind-bars/

We’re so close—don’t stop now! Help us push four of our priority bills over the finish line: AB 1230, AB 1376, SB 411, and AB 49 are now ready to be signed by the Governor. Send a letter of support to the Governor today! Your voice matters—let’s make sure these critical bills get signed into law. You can find templates for support letters and instructions (in the headers) below:

RSVPs are now open for our film viewing and panel event at UC Berkeley School of Law to discuss our new short film. This is the first...

In this reflection on a visit to San Quentin State Prison, Emily Mannion and Carly Cooper explore the striking contradictions of the institution: its scenic location and historic architecture contrast sharply with the harsh realities of life inside. Through encounters with incarcerated participants, facilitators, and program co-leads, the authors witness remarkable resilience, insight, and dedication to personal growth. They highlight moments of joy, creative expression, and

We are proud to share that Jessie Milo, a participant and facilitator of our program, and also a member of the leadership team, recently...

As you remember, in January our program held an inaugural storytelling and commencement event. As promised, below are photos of the event...

Incarcerated Back to the Start co-founder on why our 2025 priority bills are so matter so much to vulnerable children and families.

Back to the Start’s legislative priorities are grounded in upstream investments and policies that ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We support evidence-based preventative solutions that promote healthy families and communities, rather costly punitive approaches that perpetuate trauma and harm.

We did it! Below is a recap of the our program's inaugural storytelling and commencement event, with more to come out when we get photos...

We are thrilled to announce our Back to the Start Advisory Board, consisting of subject matter experts and change-makers across sectors.

Kate Wolffe from CapRadio visited our writing workshop highlighting our work on Adverse Childhood Experiences and driving systems change

Back in March, Back to the Start put out a statement expressing our concerns about budget cuts to these key programs for at-risk youth....

Back to the Start’s policy priorities are grounded in promoting investments in children, protecting disadvantaged families, and...

Mr. Donald Thompson, a former participant and current facilitator of the Back to the Start program, authored an Op-Ed in the San Diego...

Back to the Start promotes upstream development and growth rather than paying an even higher price on downstream systems, such as mass...

Originally published in San Quentin News By Michael Callahan, San Quentin News Staff Writer   Television personality W. Kamau Bell came...

Originally published in The Mercury News To many incarcerated people in San Quentin State Prison, Dr. Jenny Espinoza, who spent seven...