This curated video collection centers young people and returning community members in their own words. It follows the pressure, progress, setbacks, and support that shaped their first months home.
Beyond the Curve's early work asked participants to speak directly about coming home while mentors and community members responded. The result was not a polished success story. It was a continuing record of decisions, relationships, practical barriers, and personal growth.
Browse all 47 preserved postsThe videos preserve what participants chose to share through Beyond the Curve at the time.
Names and circumstances describe the original 2013–2014 publication record, not anyone's present life.
These stories show that reentry is complex. They do not prove that one program or decision caused a particular result.
Video hosted by YouTube. Open Geoff's archived video
Geoff's posts follow an early reentry period through college, work, parole programming, and the ordinary frustrations of rebuilding. His updates also preserve the community responses that surrounded that progress.
Video hosted by YouTube. Open Wilson's archived video
Wilson spoke openly about family pressure and the risk of losing direction. Later posts show other parts of the same life: training as a boxer and reconnecting with Seal, a service dog he helped raise while incarcerated.
Video hosted by YouTube. Open Amin's archived video
Amin's videos record the early work of managing stress, health, family responsibilities, changing friendships, and future plans. The surrounding discussion shows mentorship operating as an ongoing conversation rather than a single intervention.
Video hosted by YouTube. Open Webster's archived video
Webster's paired videos move from arrival to the challenges that followed. Together they show why release is not the end of reentry work and why practical support must remain available after the welcome home.
Video hosted by YouTube. Open Donovan's archived video
Donovan's first video and follow-up preserve two points in the same early journey. The original posts remain available with the community comments that responded to each update.
The preserved Journey includes 28 video posts and 257 original comments. It also includes Noah's first week home, Joel Jimenez discussing mentorship, education stories, family milestones, and public commentary from Beyond the Curve's earlier work.
Explore the complete Journey