Brandon is the full-time community organizer for OpenDoor’s and the Stop Torture Campaign. He began his journey with Open Doors back in 2013 when he volunteered as a teacher’s assistant for the OpenDoors 9 Yards classes while in prison. In spite of the many challenges that came along his way, Brandon found a way to overcome his obstacles and find success.

Since his re-entry, Brandon has completed his bachelor degree and is now enrolled in URI’s Master’s program for Public Administration. He’s also founded a nonprofit called the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Initiative (JDPI). The OpenDoors family is very proud and grateful to have him as a part of our team as he uses his talents and experience to better his community.

When I transitioned out of incarceration, a kind community organizer, Wanda Brown, came to help me in every stage of my re-entry. She reunited me with my family, who I hadn’t seen in 15 years, helped me find employment, and even bought me a pair of shoes to wear to work.

Many of those with lived experience end up becoming victims of oppressive systems, which also can cause a negative outlook on asking for help. However, I realized by working with OpenDoors that there are resources available to empower and create independence for those who have been formerly incarcerated.

I was inspired by her generosity and now, as her co-worker, I continue to aspire to her level of compassion and empathy every day.

My words of wisdom that have guided me throughout the years are “keep moving forward”. Moving forward allows you to break free of situations that no longer serve you and help you see the world from different perspectives. I also found it useful to learn how to stop spending energy on negative behaviors or situations and to utilize that energy to produce positive environments around me and others.