One of the most rewarding roles I hold is teaching leadership skills and mentoring through GO PLACES, a program that helps young adults rebuild their lives after incarceration, homelessness, addiction, or mental health struggles.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many participants have experienced heightened anxiety and loss, struggling to regain stability. To meet these evolving needs, we have expanded our workshops, strengthened partnerships, and provided more resources to support their journey.
Deep Time Coffee: Building Growth Instead of Punishment
A key part of my mentoring happens at Deep Time Coffee, a space dedicated to spiritual and emotional healing for individuals impacted by incarceration. Here, we explore the concept of “deep time” versus “hard time”, reframing punishment as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
We celebrate milestones—from securing housing to starting new careers—while also creating a safe space to mourn losses and release old mindsets. Many participants express their healing through poetry, music, and art, channeling their creativity into a new vision for their lives. Their resilience inspires me daily, reminding me that hardship can be a catalyst for strength and renewal.
Empowering Young Adults Through GO PLACES
GO PLACES is a multi-state initiative serving Asheville, Buncombe County, and parts of Tennessee. It provides mentorship, leadership training, and paid work-based experiences for young adults (18-24) in high-crime, high-poverty areas. Through career training, employment credentials, and certifications, participants gain access to opportunities that break cycles of economic instability.
Creating Pathways to Success
By partnering with equitable employers, including Umoja Health & Wellness Collective, Deep Time Coffee, and Asheville Prolash, we ensure that participants not only gain skills but also find meaningful career pathways. Many are now pursuing careers as coffee roasters, community health workers, and cosmetologists—transforming their talents into sustainable livelihoods.
Healing, Leadership, & Growth
Mentorship at GO PLACES is deeply relational—it’s not just about job training, but trauma-informed healing, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. Through workshops, critical thinking exercises, and leadership development, participants learn to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and self-determination.
A Call to Action: How You Can Support GO PLACES
Programs like GO PLACES prove that when we invest in young people, we invest in a better future. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, this work is more important than ever—offering stability, resources, and a chance to rewrite the narrative for those rebuilding their lives.
I am deeply honored to be part of this journey of transformation and empowerment.
If you’d like to support GO PLACES, enroll, or partner contact Gene Ettison at 828-216-4958.
The video added was produced in part by GO Places Participant Doriyan Johnson and Aisha Adams Media Intern Victoria Mills.
