The Ascend Program Blog

Why I donate to the Ascend Program

November 30, 2015 By PhyllisOrzalli

“When I first heard about the Ascend Program, I was skeptical. Although my husband and I support many social justice issues and consider ourselves pretty enlightened, I still doubted that anyone could truly change offender’s mindset and way of life.

Then I read that Ascend has a 75% success rate. I had to read it twice to let it sink in. I’ve never heard of any rehabilitation program that offered this kind of hope.

I decided to learn more about Ascend. We give a portion of our income every year to causes in which we believe, but we have to be satisfied that our money is going to be used to actually effect change. We’re not wealthy, but have worked hard and saved, and want to support other people in attaining their best lives.

As I found out more about the Ascend program, its founders and team, I was impressed. Ascend began as a collaboration between its two founders, both Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the Psychology Department at Sacramento State University. Together, they developed a program which is different from any other rehabilitation program. They combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, one-on-one continued mentoring, intensive classroom study about the law, physical challenges and yoga/mindfulness. Helping an offender completely change his or her life not only makes a difference for the offender – it paves the way for healthy family relationships and makes neighborhoods stronger.

I learned that most of these ex-offenders go on to college and earn good grades – that they are solid students who understand the opportunity they’ve been given.

My husband and I decided to support the Ascend Program by donating – because by doing so, we can help improve lives right here in our own community. I truly believe if more people knew about Ascend, they would want to do the same.”

A Graduate of the Ascend Program Story in Her Words

October 10, 2015 By Frederika Zylstra

Hey everyone it’s me Symantha R. Dunn. I am a graduate of Ascend. I have one year sixty one day and twenty hours clean and sober as I write this.

Ascend has taught me how to do the right thing. I have done 3 prison terms, 1AB109 (prison in County Jail ) and numerous jail stays. I hung out with the wrong people, didn’t see a different path for my life. My daughter was going down the same path I was. 15 months ago she gave me my reason for change. My Granddaughter Rain. Keep in mind I only have 14 months clean. I went to jail in August 2014. Got out on home detention and was offered the Ascend Program. I took it.

I’m still on supervised probation, but am doing well. I was taught to be proactive. I do what I am supposed to, and go to probation before I am told. I got rid of all the anti social people in my life, kept the dual social people in my life with boundaries, and have a pro social network.

I was blessed with a second granddaughter Cali 3 months ago. Through the mindfulness that I was taught I have been allowed to truly see them grow.

I learned things about the law that keeps me from getting caught up in anyone’s drama. I have a future now. I know with the staff at Ascend I never walk alone. I have a personal relapse prevention therapist that I keep in close contact with. He is always willing to give me the time to keep me making the right decisions. There were never any expectations placed on me, only knowledge and opportunities given freely for me to grow with if I choose to, and I did.

My time in class was very special, I was given a family that didn’t use, go to jail, or put me down. I was never made to feel guilty or ashamed of who I was or what I had done. I was only supported that I could do or be better. There is a big push for higher education because that is how you grow, and a couple of years from now I plan on getting a college degree, only for me that isn’t what is important now.

Ascend gave me the opportunity to be a real grandmother. I’m not just here. I see and am able to care for my girls.

Ascend needs help. Any donation you can make will help them be able to help the next person.

Action pitch to Reduce Recidivism at TEDxSacramento

October 7, 2015 By PhyllisOrzalli

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. This action pitch strives to build support for empowering criminal offenders to reach their potential in order to improve our urban cities.

The True Meaning of Climbing a Mountain

August 27, 2015 By Frederika Zylstra

by Roxy Davis

On our latest field trip to Granite Arch Climbing Center, we asked our students what lessons from rock climbing they could apply to their lives to help them succeed. Here are a few of their answers:

“The higher you climb, the higher you can achieve.”
“Trust and believe in yourself. The top is just a climb away.”
“The stronger the grip, the harder it is to fall.”
“No goal is too great to achieve.”
“Climbing helps you focus on one thing and think of different ways to do it.”
“It’s only difficult until you’re done.”
“You never know until you try.”
“Never say ‘I can’t.’”

For many of our students, this was their first time climbing, but they were more than up to the challenge. We are so proud of our awesome, inspiring students! A big thank you to Granite Arch for supporting us and our students!