Looking Back On 2025 And The Road Ahead
As we move toward the end of another year, I find myself reflecting on the countless moments that defined 2025 for The Redemption Project. Not the big headlines or the statistics, though those matter. What I keep coming back to are the faces, the stories, and the quiet victories that unfold one decision at a time.
This year, we witnessed transformation not as an abstract idea, but as a real, visible, daily reality. We saw men and women who once doubted their own worth walk into job sites with confidence. We saw parents reunited with their children. We saw Associates show up week after week, choosing growth, choosing accountability, choosing hope.
And behind every one of those moments was a community that chose to invest in them.
2025 was a year of deepened impact.
We strengthened our partnerships with employers who continue to open their doors and say, “Yes, we believe in second chances.” Our Dinner Symposiums expanded, creating more tables where hope could be shared and where people could practice the virtues that shape their lives. Our Senior Partners showed steadfast commitment, often going above and beyond to make sure no Associate ever felt alone on their journey.
We welcomed new supporters, new volunteers, and new donors who understood that TRP is more than a program. It’s a movement of people choosing to build something better, not just for individuals coming home, but for entire communities.
2025 was a year of learning.
We refined our processes, strengthened our curriculum, and deepened our understanding of what Associates need during the most vulnerable moments after release. We learned more about the barriers they face, and we adapted. We strengthened our partnerships with community organizations, doubling down on collaboration rather than duplication.
We grew because we listened.
2025 was a year of gratitude.
Every employer who hired one of our Associates.
Every donor who invested in our mission.
Every volunteer who gave their time, their wisdom, or simply their presence.
Every community partner who helped us navigate housing, mental health, transportation, and stability.
None of this works alone. TRP was built on the belief that people rise when their community rises with them.
And now, we look ahead.
The road in front of us is clear:
We will expand our reach.
We will strengthen the Virtues for Success™ curriculum.
We will enrich our dinner symposium model.
We will bring more employers to the table.
We will continue to invest in the people who are working every day to rewrite the story of their lives.
But above all, we will remain committed to the truth that guides our work:
No one is beyond redemption.
No one is defined by their hardest chapter.
And when we walk alongside people with structure, accountability, and unwavering belief, transformation is not only possible, it’s inevitable.
To everyone who has walked with us this year: thank you.
You are part of every success story, every homecoming, every second chance, and every life rebuilt.
The best is still ahead, and I am honored to build it together with all of you.
Our Associates also took time to reflect and look forward. As they shared what they are most excited about heading into 2026, the room filled with optimism. Goals ranged from career advancement and financial stability to deeper family connections and personal growth. These moments remind us that reentry is not just about where someone has been, it’s about where they are going.
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Morrissey's for hosting us and for the thoughtfully curated meal that anchored the evening. Their staff created a warm, welcoming atmosphere and treated our group with such care. Good food has a way of bringing people together, and Morrissey’s did exactly that, helping turn a symposium into a shared celebration.
As we close out another year, we do so with full hearts. This Holiday Symposium was a reminder that redemption is lived out in conversations, partnerships, meals shared, and futures imagined. We are thankful for our Associates, our Employment Partners, Community Partners, and every supporter who makes this work possible.
Here’s to continued growth, shared success, and new beginnings in the year ahead.
Dwight