MARTY'S SECOND ACT

Marty knows what it means to survive. From the age of 10, he was locked into a cycle that spanned nearly five decades—years marked by instability, violence, and survival. Released from prison without an ID or Social Security card, he faced a new kind of challenge: reentering a world that had moved on without him. He couldn’t get a job. The anxiety of everyday tasks—like navigating a smartphone or being around crowds—was overwhelming.

Marty was living in transitional housing when he crossed paths with Lon Chhay and learned about Asian Solidarity Collective. He was on the brink of losing his housing, but Lon stepped in, offering more than a one-size-fits-all solution. Lon helped Marty land his first job, bought him a bike so he could get to work, and stood by him when he needed someone the most. And when Marty found himself in a moment of crisis that could have pulled him back into the system, Lon didn’t hesitate. He drove downtown on a moment’s notice and sat beside him on the sidewalk for hours, listening, reminding him that there were other choices, and that his life still mattered. This kind of support is what sets ASC apart. Their re-entry program was created for people like Marty—system-impacted individuals who need more than just a second chance. They need community. They need healing. They need people who see them as more than their past.

Today, Marty is on track to graduate from an 18-month machinist training program through Rise Up Industries. He’s looking forward to the recognition, the big celebration, and the future he’s building—one decision at a time. He’s determined to succeed not just for himself, but to repay the support and belief Lon and ASC showed him when no one else would. For Marty, ASC didn’t just offer help—they offered hope. And in return, he’s showing what’s possible when someone has the chance to begin again, and this time, to belong.