09/09/2026
At Be Finally Free, we have learned that there are four things that can truly help transform a life.
1. See people.
Really see them—not for their past, their mistakes, their circumstances, or a label someone has placed on them. See them for who they are and who they can become.
2. Change the way you think.
When you change your mindset- how you see yourself, your circumstances, and what is possible- you can change the direction of your entire life.
3. Never stop learning.
Education matters. That might mean college, a trade, church, reading a great book, or intentionally learning something new. And I’m not talking about scrolling through social media, where half-truths and misinformation are everywhere. I mean really digging in, studying, asking questions, and growing.
4. Have purpose.
There is something powerful about having a job, responsibility, and a reason to get up in the morning knowing that what you do matters.
We have watched these four things make an incredible difference at Be Finally Free. As BFF has grown, so has our staff. Many of the men and women who work for us have lived experience. They understand the people we serve because, in many cases, they have walked some of the same roads. But we never wanted to simply hire people and stop there. We wanted to continue mentoring them, teaching them, investing in them, and helping them discover just how much they are capable of. So we didn’t just tell them to go to school.
We brought school to them!
Today, members of our team began their very first Bakersfield College classes, right here at Be Finally Free. I felt like a proud mom watching these incredible men and women begin today. Some were excited. Some were nervous. Some haven’t stepped into a classroom in years. And yet, there they were, showing up, taking another step forward, and proving that growth doesn’t have an expiration date. This is what restoration looks like to me.
It isn’t simply helping someone survive what they have been through. It is seeing them, helping them change the way they think, giving them opportunities to learn and grow, and helping them build a life filled with purpose.
What a joy and privilege it is to be part of Be Finally Free.
Way to go, James Tompkins! You did an incredible job putting all of this together. I could not be more proud of you, or of every person who walked into that classroom today.
This is how lives change. One opportunity, one decision, and one courageous step at a time. ❤️
