Warnisha Smith knew she had to dramatically change her life — not only for herself but for her children, ages 4 and 6.

Hampered by an incorrectly listed criminal charge on a pre-employment background check, the 28-year-old single mother was having trouble finding permanent work. Her hopes for the future were fading: She once dreamed of being able to open her own care facility for the elderly and disabled.

She heard about Rubicon Programs from a family friend and in 2019 Smith connected with Pat Kaspar, an attorney for the nonprofit, who confirmed the charge listing was wrong and immediately began working to correct the information with the state Department of Justice and the FBI. After a year, the record had been corrected.

The mission of Rubicon, a 50-year-old organization that serves both Alameda and Contra Costa counties, is to transform communities by equipping people to break the cycle of poverty. It has prepared thousands of participants, many with criminal records, to succeed in new lives with help in four program areas: income, assets, wellness and community connections. It provides comprehensive services including workforce readiness, employment placement, behavioral health, legal and other services.

Kaspar said she “kept working with (Smith) because I believe in her. She is really so wonderful. She has a knack for working with people and she is extremely tenacious.”

While waiting for her appeal to process, Smith kept working with Rubicon coaches and is still involved with the organization. She is one of eight members of Rubicon’s Participant Advisory Board, which does community engagement and advocacy.

She now works at different care facilities and visits the elderly and people with disabilities in their homes, continually “building experience to get my own facility,” she said.