The prison industrial complex and criminal justice system often operate as a system of recidivism, leaving many formerly incarcerated people in a loop of returning. Turning Point was founded in 2009 by Michelle Perkins to help people who are formerly incarcerated combat poverty, homelessness, and lack of resources. The non-profit organization that provides a new start for people is a staple in the South Los Angeles community.
A non-profit organization, “Turning Point works closely with the reentry population who have been impacted by the criminal justice system,” according to a mission statement. Formerly incarcerated individuals often struggle—if they do have immediate family members or community—with reintegrating back into society. In order for a successful readjustment back into daily living, they need access to permanent housing, food, and other resources to help them stabilize, such as mental health services.
According to a recent research initiative by the Prison Policy Initiative, “people of color—particularly Black people—are overrepresented in jails, prisons, and non-carceral forms of punishment.” As of 2025, Black people make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, 37 percent of Black people who are in prison or jail, and 30 percent of Black people are on probation or parole. 48 percent of Black people are serving life, life with parole, or “virtual life” sentences, according to the study.
People from marginalized communities tend to have mistrust in the criminal justice system. According to a June 2024 Pew Research Study, “about 74 percent of Black adults say the prison system was designed to hold Black people back a great deal or a fair amount.” 70 percent of Black people say the same in regard to the courts and judicial process, while 68 percent also have mistrust in police, the study said. Marginalized communities, predominantly Black and brown people, also face racial disparities in being able to afford quality legal representation when navigating legal spaces.
Turning Point offers those services in addition to drug and alcohol education, parenting, and anger management courses. The organization also helps clients obtain important identification documents such as social security cards, California IDs, health insurance, and other government documents.
The non-profit organization also has 2 properties called Safe Houses, designed to help women, in specific, acclimate to society post incarceration. The first home was opened in 2020 for women exiting prison in Los Angeles County, according to their website.
Turning Point is a member of the SAFE (Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality) Housing Network, a “national collective of formerly incarcerated people working to decarcerate the US by bringing people home to stay, helping them to heal from the trauma of incarceration, and empowering them to lead in the fight to end mass incarceration.”
Women who join the safe house program are encouraged to find a sponsor and participate in their 12-step program. Assistance with job search, school enrollment, and resume development is also available.
Michelle Perkins, Founder
Founding the organization in 2009, Michelle Perkins was motivated by lived experience.
“It has a lot to do with lived experience. Once I decided I didn’t want to be homeless anymore and abuse drugs, I wanted to be sober and help people.” She added, “During the process of me getting sober, the resources weren’t easily available back then like they are now. It’s amazing to have an organization where we provide an array of resources that helps people.”
Growing up in South LA, Perkins experienced a difficult childhood in the 70s and 80s, having gone through many trials and tribulations, such as struggling with substance abuse. This led her to being in and out of incarceration. She spoke about her upbringing. “It was dysfunctional, and it was full of trauma,” said Perkins.
“I grew up with a mom that I wasn’t close with and… who wasn’t loving and caring, so I didn’t know what it was like to be nurtured.” She also said that she had a sister and a brother, as her father was not around, but other men were in their household. Perkins left home at 16 years old due to her dysfunctional family. She lived with various family members until she gained her own apartment. During that time, she succumbed to substance abuse that resulted in her arrest and her becoming homeless. Perkins was incarcerated and released from prison in 1998.
“I didn’t have a lot of support, but I had the willingness to change,” said Perkins. Upon her release, she received help from Phoenix House in Monrovia, CA. “I knew that I suffered from the disease of addiction… at Phoenix House, there were some dynamite counselors.” She was inspired by the work of one counselor to take control of her life and to help people like herself once she became sober.
“I was so willing to accept the help, the resources, the suggestions; that’s what helped me to be able to stay grounded in recovery. I haven’t used drugs or alcohol in 26 years.”
Over ten years later, when Turning Point opened its doors, initially as an outpatient substance abuse treatment program that served adults ages 18 and up and adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old. Back then, the organization had supportive services that also centered around anger management, domestic violence, and parenting. As time went on and re-entry services became more of a dire need for people, Perkins wanted the organization to pivot to become more community-focused. It has now evolved into the successful organization it is today.
Donald West, Client
50-year-old Donald West is a South Los Angeles native who grew up with a difficult childhood as both of his parents struggled with drug addiction. It caused a wedge in his relationship as his father left home early; West’s relationship with his mother also deteriorated due to her battle with substance use. This caused him to turn to street life and his own battle with addiction as he was in search of love and a sense of community that he was not receiving at home.
“I just felt like she didn’t like me. She hated me; she treated me badly,” said West. “… But if I did have [her] support, things probably would have been better for me as I was yearning for her acceptance.” West discussed how even as an adult, he would have moments of maintaining sobriety, yet his mother would say things such as, “You’ll be smoking again… you’ll be on drugs again.”
His substance abuse caused him to be incarcerated on and off again at different times for 13 years. “I kept using, and I was selling drugs. I got caught with [drugs] and also ‘assault with a deadly weapon,’ which was a different case.” He added, “I had multiple cases, violating parole, things like that, until one day I said to myself, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”
Eventually West grew tired and decided that he wanted to gain control of his life. He decided to fully focus on sobriety with the help of services from Turning Point after being connected to the program from medical professionals at a doctor visit. West attributes Turning Point for assisting him with gaining stable housing, sobriety, and another chance at establishing a good life for himself.
“[Turning Point’s] services helped me get a place to stay. I never really had a place to stay… I didn’t have anybody, and I didn’t really believe in myself.” He added, “Once they believed in me… [I]felt more settled. I am happy.”
West is a current client of Turning Point and plans to focus on gaining employment and continuing the path of rebuilding his life.
Christopher Joyner, ICMS Case Manager
Christopher Joyner, an ICMS case manager for Turning Point, is a person who is formerly incarcerated and also helps clients gain access to resources. With lived experience of incarceration, in 2007 Joyner was a victim of racial profiling in a murder and robbery case during his time in college at Fisk University. Falsely accused, Joyner was pardoned in 2012 and has dedicated his career to helping the formerly incarcerated population.
Joyner was sentenced to 5 years and was released in 2012. Eventually the woman confessed in testimony, on her deathbed, that she was forced to pick Joyner by a police officer. Joyner’s case was overturned. She also expressed that she felt guilty, according to Joyner. He was pardoned by the state of Tennessee but not exonerated.
Upon his release, Joyner had a difficult time finding employment due to having a felony on his record. He began to work at a local church as a cleaner and eventually began playing instruments for the choir. During this time he also did volunteer work for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and Volunteers of America to help the homeless find stable housing. “I would help them look for people who lived in encampments. I also worked with Volunteers of America, in which I learned case management work.”
Over time, and after wanting to elevate into case management, last year, Joyner met Michelle Perkins and was inspired by her work and story. “I read her story before even meeting her.” He added. “I realized that this is a young lady who has been in the system, has been through the ringer. She knows what it’s like to struggle. She knows what it’s like to need a job, and she knows what it’s like to help people.”
As an intense crisis manager, Joyner helps clients who are in dire situations, assisting them with getting emergency resources, specifically with housing. “I stop evictions; I get people housed in less than two weeks. I make sure I find out where their [housing] voucher is, and then we get them moved in. These are things that I have done for clients that are currently on my roster today,” said Joyner.
He also spoke about the joy he felt with working in social services and common misconceptions he has encountered as a person who is formerly incarcerated. “Showing my clients that they are human and I am no better than them… helps them.” He added,” We are all two paychecks away from being homeless. I treat them as equals. It really gives them hope.” Turning Point is located in South Los Angeles at 3756 Santa Rosalia Dr. Visit their website at TurningpointAOD.com.