Antinique Piggee, a childcare supervisor, credits her post-incarceration success to the female community reentry program (FCRP).
Today she’s employed at the Saint John’s Program for Real Change, where she supports women and children experiencing homelessness.
Her work focuses on helping families gain stability, education, and the skills needed to change the trajectory of their lives.
“I love working with the children,” Piggee said. “Being a positive role model during these critical stages of development is so important. They need to see what’s possible.”
The change Piggee made in her own life, learned in the female reentry program, guides her choices today to help those in need.
Watch the YouTube video (story continues below):
Antinique Piggee: A story of education perseverance
Originally from Fresno, she thought she knew what life had in store for her. She planned to attend college, enrolling at California State University, Bakersfield. She started attending college at 17, but three years later, she was incarcerated in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla.
Despite her incarceration, she remained focused on her education.
Her turning point came when she transferred to FCRP, a CDCR initiative for eligible incarcerated women to serve the final part of their sentence in a community-based setting.
While in FCRP, she earned her associate degree. This is also where she was introduced to Saint John’s, taking her first steps on the path toward becoming a childcare professional.
She has since completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Sacramento State University, graduating with honors.
Her story is a testament to the power of second chances and the impact of supportive reentry programs.
Video and story by Matthew Sichler, program analyst
Office of Program Support, Division of Rehabilitative Programs
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