SAY YES!

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VILLAGE OF DOLTON

VILLAGE OF HAZEL CREST

 “When I was incarcerated, I was working as a janitor known as a porter. I was really in a dark place during that time in my life however I wanted better and I was thinking to myself ( how can I turn my life around and have all the things I want in life, how do I get there?)then one day I just started making observations of the things I done in the past and the things I’m doing now within the prison. As a porter I was making five cents an hour and I thought to myself if I can work in the joint for five cents an hour, I can punch the clock in the world and make twenty to thirty dollars an hour. Every day I thought about the bad decisions I made in my life and after looking back on my life and observing my past bad decisions, at that very moment is when “I said YES to a better life. “I was lost, but now I’m found. I was broken, but now I’m healed. I was weak, but now I’m strong.” “Are you ready to change your life?” “Don’t let your past define your future. Join me on the path to a better life. Better health, better living, and a better you.”

 -Juan Sewell Founder of Sewell Point

 The streets taught me hard lessons early on. As a street boss the I10 Jefa from Arizona, I did what I thought I had to, grinding day and night to keep my family fed. But I paid a high price for it—years behind cold steel, ripped away from my children. In that cell, stripped of everything but my mind, I was forced to look deeper. I’d built wealth for others and left myself with nothing but a thin mattress and a box of commissary, while my kids were taken from my family, raised by strangers. We’d become products of a system that never had our best interests at heart. It was then that I decided: I was done living for survival alone. I said “YES” I wanted to build a life of honor and dignity, not just for myself but for my sons and everyone who felt trapped in cycles like mine. I knew I’d been made for more, created in God’s image as a powerful woman who could shape her future and leave a legacy. The pain that broke me down would be the fire that built me back up. Discipline, resilience, and consistency became my tools, and I dove into education, prayer, and relentless action to create a future no one could take from me. I broke through the walls of shame, turned my past into lessons, and built a path others could follow—a foundation for my sons, my people, and anyone who needed hope. Now, my mission is to walk with them, shoulder to shoulder, proving we’re stronger than any system built to break us. I am here to empower others to be better than they were yesterday and to secure a future of dignity and strength. The pain lingers—each day a reminder of what I lost and the constant fight to rise above. Yet, the hope of being reunited with my sons and my daughter keeps me grounded. I want them to grow up knowing just how deeply loved they are, to understand that my struggles are for them and for a future where they’ll never feel the need to make the mistakes I once made. My journey is filled with prayer and action so that, through the awareness I’m building, they’ll see a path forward without the pitfalls that held me back. My goal is that they inherit a life free of judgment, filled with opportunity, and guided by the lessons of resilience and self-worth saying Yes to! 

-Jaynee' (Dolly) Benavidez

 Co-Founder of Sewell Point

 “Expungement is more than clearing a record; it’s unlocking the doors to opportunity, dignity, and a chance to start anew. It restores hope, allowing individuals to move forward without the weight of past mistakes, and to contribute to society with their full potential. A fresh start is a powerful foundation for a new life.”

  — Dr. Tirenzy Wilson, Children’s Author, Motivational Speaker, and Anti-Bullying Advocate 

 "When I was incarcerated, I felt like my life had hit rock bottom, and I wasn't sure if l'd ever get a second chance. But at some point, l realized that if I wanted a different life, I needed to change my mindset. That's when the word yes' started to mean something deeper to me. Saying 'yes' wasn't easy. It meant opening up to positive change, even when I felt unsure or didn't see the whole path. I started saying 'yes' to personal growth, yes to learning new skills, and yes to letting go of the negative cycles that had held me back. Every time I said 'yes' to something positive, it felt like I was slowly building a new foundation for my life. By choosing to say 'yes,' I began to see new possibilities. It gave me a second chance to believe in my potential, even from where I was. And when I eventually left that place, I walked out with a purpose, a gift, and the tools to create a successful life-not just for myself but to make a difference for others as well. The power of saying 'yes' helped me rewrite my story."

"Yes" is more than just a word; it's a commitment to possibility, growth, and action. When you say "Yes," you're opening doors, embracing challenges, and allowing yourself to move forward with purpose. Committing to "Yes" means you're not just agreeing in the moment; you're dedicating yourself to see things through, to make an impact, and to embrace the journey, no matter the obstacles. It's a small word with the power to transform situations, foster growth, and bring about real change because it signifies belief, courage, and readiness to step up.

-Nakia McClinic

 "Expungement is the key that unlocks the door to a brighter future, transforming past mistakes into steppingstones for reintegration, allowing individuals to rewrite their stories and reclaim their place in society."

 -Alderwoman Monet S. Wilson