After spending nearly 13 years in prison, Wanekii made a promise to herself: she would not let her past determine her future. Throughout her sentence, she remained violation-free, maintained full-time employment, and took on leadership roles in in-house programs like the Impact of Crime Victims Class and Grief Share. She earned her GED, stayed connected to her children through PATCH and Girl Scouts Behind Bars, and leaned deeply on her faith to stay grounded.
When Wanekii joined the prison’s first ASPIRE Manufacturing Program cohort and started participating in programs offered by Connections to Success, everything clicked into place. She earned both her manufacturing certification and her personal and professional development training certificate, gaining not only credentials but also the confidence, skills, and support system she needed to reenter her community.
Once home, Wanekii wasted no time. She attended job fairs, networked, and stayed closely connected to the Connections to Success staff as she worked toward employment. Her preparation paid off when she received an unexpected, on-the-spot interview at Jost Chemical. Thanks to her training, she was prepared. Today, she loves her job, its benefits, and the growth opportunities ahead. With her family by her side and her future wide open, Wanekii is excited for what comes next and is deeply grateful to Connections to Success for walking with her every step of the way.