From Lake County Record Bee and CPOC Communications team.

At Lake County Probation, they believe in second chances and the power of resilience while providing both supervision and services to those in their custody. This commitment was on full display at the 4th Annual Resilient Re-Entry Event, hosted in partnership with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College.

The event served as a reminder that re-entry is more than just a process—it’s a journey of resilience, perseverance, and longterm community support and safety. Attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand success stories from those who have overcome challenges and worked toward a better future.

Lake County Probation Chief Probation Officer Wendy Mondfrans said,

“This year’s Resilient Reentry was a fantastic event! Throughout the day individuals inspired those in attendance with their incredible stories of resilience, transformation, and impact. The message was clear that with a desire to change, this community is ready to help people make a difference in their lives. We are thankful for the team that helped put the event together and look forward to more successful events in the future.” 

Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus was again the host for determined candidates who dared to take a great leap to the infinitely possible and were rewarded with stirring anecdotes of those who beat the odds and managed impressive achievement.

Despite all the curve balls life can hurl, there are people who manage to overcome substantial odds and still manage to prevail and on occasion achieve the success that only their wildest dreams could have conjured.

From out of the womb, Dustin Lawson arrived in the world with a physical marker so debilitating he could have been easily excused to skate by as best as he could, without making much effort. But as it often said, stuff happens where people unexpectedly find a voice. But in Lawson’s situation, his voice was nearly choked off before he had a chance to vocalize his ambitions. Lawson was born with cystic fibrosis and he appeared to be the one to share his story as the keynote speaker before the Re-Entry audience.

“I want to take this moment to say this is what resilience looks like,” he said. “It is not just resilience but strength, a courage that no matter how far down a blues can take you, you can always rise up again. I am a proud father, a student, and someone in long recovery.”

…Lawson learned there is power in community and one has just to find those like-minded individuals who want better than what they have now. Lawson closed with encouraging the audience to check out all the exhibition booths at the campus parking lot, whose organizations arrived with a mission to help people like himself build a better life.

Civil and social service experts waited at booths ready to guide attendees to career paths some may have deemed impossible until Friday, October 10, 2025. 

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Lake County Probation Department, officers, local educational institutions, workforce development programs, and social service agencies within the community. Their dedication ensures that those seeking a fresh start have access to the guidance and tools necessary for a successful transition, all while promoting community safety. These partnerships are crucial in helping individuals build brighter and safer futures for themselves and their families.

Reintegration into society comes with obstacles, and access to the right support can make all the difference. The event featured local organizations and service providers offering essential resources, including:

• Job training and employment assistance
• Educational opportunities
• Mental health and wellness services
• Housing support

These resources are vital in empowering individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to the community.

District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier also shared his story. …

Sabatier went on to state that change is not easy and people have to want to change, but they also need the support of the community and support networks make it possible.

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California Probation continues to be a proponent of positive development and the connector in our justice system to the rehabilitative needs of the probation population.

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