Six months after walking out of federal prison, Alfredo Carranza Jr. made a decision that would change everything: he was not going back.
Instead, he chose to rebuild.
Carranza, 45, grew up in Long Beach, California, and spent more than 25 years in federal prison after becoming involved in gang life at a young age. Reentering society came with challenges he hadn’t anticipated, from navigating smartphones and email to something as simple as using a debit card.
“I had to learn how to send a simple email and navigate this new world,” Carranza shared in a handwritten statement.
Finding employment felt out of reach. He had been gone for so long, even applying for jobs online was unfamiliar. But everything began to shift when he connected with a local support network.
While staying at a halfway house, Carranza met a representative from The Just One Project who helped him access food assistance, resume support, and, most importantly, a pathway to education. That introduction led him to College of Southern Nevada, where he enrolled in the manufacturing technician program with support from the Resilient Nevada grant.
From day one, Carranza said he felt supported.
“They helped and aided me the whole way through my CSN journey,” he wrote, noting everything from bus passes to encouragement from faculty and staff.
That support quickly turned into momentum.
Before even completing the program, Carranza secured a job with Mannix Bottling Group. He credits his instructors, Steve and Nestor, and the hands-on training he received at CSN for giving him the confidence and skills to succeed during the interview process.
Today, Carranza is not just employed, he is thriving. And more than that, he is determined to keep moving forward.
“If I have any advice at all, it’s to never stop learning, invest in yourself, and ask for help,” he said.
Through workforce training, community partnerships, and a commitment to meeting students where they are, CSN continues to open doors for individuals ready to rewrite their future.
For Carranza, that future is already taking shape.