More than 150 Mount Tamalpais College students and alumni joined representatives from 16 community organizations inside San Quentin for the College’s 3rd annual Resource Fair on October 10. The event connected attendees with education, employment, legal, and reentry services designed to support their transition home.
The 2025 Resource Fair featured a broad range of reentry and educational resources. Among the organizations in attendance were Stay Out Solutions, The Uncuffed Project, and ThArrive, all of which provide reentry and transitional services, while UnCommon Law provides legal guidance and advocacy. Career development opportunities were represented by Resilience Education, and civic engagement was supported by Initiate Justice Action and the League of Women Voters.
For many students, the event was a chance to explore what reentry could look like in tangible terms and to connect directly with community partners. MTC student Steven Warren said he attended to learn what resources were available and to meet community members who could be part of his support network. “All of it—further education, the transitional support connections, voting organizations—are things I can utilize,” he said.
Continuing education programs were strongly represented, including UC Berkeley Extension, UC Berkeley Underground Scholars, and several Project Rebound programs (CSU East Bay, San Francisco State University, and San Jose State University). One student, Elmer David Rodriguez, described how networking with local university programs gave him a sense of optimism about continuing his studies after release.
“Networking with UC Berkeley and Cal State East Bay felt most valuable to me,” Elmer shared. “After meeting with the school bridge programs, I feel confident that I will find peer support and that I will acclimate.”
Additional partners included the Veterans Transition Center of California (reentry support for veterans), the San Francisco Public Library and Alameda County Library (public resources and education programs), and Planting Justice (job opportunities and community-based initiatives), all of which offer career development and reentry support.
For student Andrew R. Lopez, the event was as much about connection as it was about information. “I am practicing my reintegration into society, and find being around positive people aids me. Being around positive, free people is good for the soul,” said Andrew. “I am old and have been incarcerated for 35 years. I know the world outside has changed a lot. I hope to be able to enjoy the years that remain, both financially and with the least amount of stress.”
Following the Resource Fair, survey responses indicated that most attendees found the event valuable and relevant. Eighty-six percent of attendees said the event reflected their needs in planning for their release from San Quentin, while 79 percent reported feeling more confident about their parole plans after attending. In addition, 90 percent said they plan to follow up with organizations they connected with during the event.
“I’m an entrepreneur, so I loved accessing these resources,” student Zachery Rideaux said. “They were all geared to help me reach my goals and dreams. When I think about going home, I don’t fear anything but coming back in here.”
Get Involved
If you or someone you know represents an organization working in reentry (providing services for those reentering into society after incarceration) and would like to participate in future Resource Fair events, please contact Corey McNeil, MTC’s Alumni Affairs Associate, at cmcneil@mttamcollege.edu.
