More Second Chances Like Darnell’s: Checkr.org Invests In HBI

Darnell Thomason is officially free.

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Last week, Darnell reported to parole, walked out of the halfway house for the last time, and closed the door on a chapter he has spent years working to leave behind.

“It’s been a long journey, but I never gave up,” he said. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m just getting started.”

He is starting this next chapter with a full-time job at Frito-Lay, weekend handyman and construction work on the side, and a plan for what comes next.

“I was incarcerated for four years, but during my last year in prison, I made the decision to change my life,” Darnell said. “I knew that when I came home, I wanted something different for myself and my future.”

Stories like Darnell’s are why we are proud to share that Checkr.org has awarded HBI a six-figure grant. It is the first private philanthropic investment in HBI’s history dedicated exclusively to justice-impacted individuals. The grant will expand construction training, industry-recognized credentials, and job placement for people in HBI’s correctional facility and community reentry programs nationwide. That means more people like Darnell coming home with the skills, and the backing, to stay on track.

It started with a decision

Darnell trained with HBI while incarcerated at a correctional training facility. He used that time to build real skills in construction and carpentry.

“HBI was a great program for me while I was incarcerated,” he said. “It helped me build my construction and carpentry skills and prepared me for returning to the workforce after my release.”

Then real life hit

Coming home is hard. For Darnell, it was harder than he expected.

“Finding a job was frustrating, everything was expensive, and there were days when things didn’t seem to be going my way,” he said. “But I refused to give up. I stayed focused, kept a positive mindset, and put in job applications every single day. Slowly, everything started coming together.”

Support that didn’t stop at the gate

HBI’s work with Darnell didn’t end on his release date. Our team kept helping with job leads and career guidance, and as a Student Success Fund recipient, Darnell got the tools he needed to keep doing carpentry and handyman work.

“Since my release, HBI has continued to support me with employment opportunities, career guidance and providing me with the tools I needed,” he said. “That support has made a real difference as I work toward building a stable and successful future.”

He also gave a shout-out to his HBI instructor and the team that stuck with him. “I truly appreciate everything Stephanie, Mr. Reeves, and HBI have done for me. Having people who continued to support me after my release means a lot.”

“Thank you for believing in me and giving me the tools and motivation to succeed,” he said. “I learned so much from the program, and I’m putting those skills to use in my everyday life.”

Why Checkr.org’s investment matters

For someone rebuilding after incarceration, the hardest part usually isn’t the training. It’s finding someone willing to bet on them. Checkr.org’s grant goes right at that problem: more construction training for people inside correctional facilities, more industry-recognized credentials that employers trust, and more help landing a job after release, in HBI programs across the country.

“Access to a good job can change the trajectory of a person’s life,” said Christina Louie Dyer, executive director of Checkr.org. “Through this grant, Checkr.org is helping HBI equip more people with the skills, credentials, and support they need to build lasting careers. We’re honored to invest in that work and in the communities it strengthens.”

Darnell’s advice to anyone starting over

“To everybody who is incarcerated or starting over: your past does not have to determine what you do with your future,” Darnell said. “Keep your mind focused, stay positive, put in the work, and don’t give up when things get hard. Change takes time, but if you stay committed, you can build a successful life. I’m still building mine, one day at a time.”

For Darnell, that commitment is personal. “My past doesn’t define my future,” he said. “I’m determined to keep moving forward, working hard, and becoming a better man.”

Help build the next story

Checkr’s gift is a big step. You can help us take the next one.

A donation to HBI pays for the training, tools, and support that turn a second chance into a career. Every gift helps another person like Darnell come home ready to work and build a successful future.