This is the logo of the refoundry that we were greeted with upon arival

During my fieldwork visit, Caleb and I went to the Brooklyn Navy Yards with Caleb’s father, Adam Kohn-Blank. We drove from his house on Bergen Street and drove to building 52. There we met Emilie who gave us a full tour and interview. We talked with some of the participants, one being Dexter who was a formerly in jail for killing a man, is now doing woodwork and practicing his trumpeting. He is also working on getting his masters. We learned from Dexter and his friend that in life, everything comes at you at once. Both good and bad. You have to learn to dig out the bad and fill the new hole with good. Dexter told us about how this is what he has learned, but he told us to stick to good habits because jail just makes life harder. He had to wait an extra 20 years just to attempt to get a masters degree. He told Caleb to stick with his trumpet skills because it will get him far. He also said I should stick with my acting skills because we need more actors of color. When I walked up to the entrance of the Refoundry, I was very surprised. It looked very different than I would expect. I kind of expected a cubicle like work space. Instead, I was met with a wood shop. I am not saying it was bad, however. In fact, when I saw these men, I saw men, regular people. Usually when we see criminals we think angry people and rough. These people were kind and had hearts. I felt like I could open up to them, like I could be their friend. I heard heartfelt advice and the sound of machinery. It was elegant to see how they have changed their lives. It impacted Caleb and I because it showed us how much of a difference one good person in the world could make. It personally inspired me to be a better person and to start throwing away the pieces of my life that will make me rot, and filling it with good beautiful things that will make my life better, not worse.