“We Told Each Other We’d Meet at ARC”: How ARC’s Front Desk Interns Welcome People Home
Written by: Josh Pynoos, ARC’s Communication and Advocacy Strategist
At the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), the front desk is more than just a reception area. It’s often the first stop for people returning home from incarceration and the entry point into ARC’s vibrant community.
It’s also where you’ll find Walter, Izar, and Joshua, ARC’s front desk interns who help take care of the office, doing this work for the members and those still behind the walls. For many people coming home, the ARC office represents a beacon of freedom.
“We told each other we would meet at ARC,” says front desk intern Joshua, reflecting on the shared dream among incarcerated people to one day reunite as free people at ARC.
The front desk duties may seem simple: cleaning the kitchen, brewing coffee, sweeping floors, organizing supplies, and taking on janitorial tasks that often go unnoticed. They are the first people you see when you walk into ARC’s new Echo Park headquarters, offering a warm welcome and support to people coming home from incarceration.
The ARC office is also the place where incarcerated people often call or write for advice and support.
“I’ve received calls from people in every prison,” says Walter, the calm and compassionate veteran of the front desk. “I walk them through the process of being considered for parole.”
Walter is a trusted guide for people coming home and a bridge to those still inside. He understands the importance of these connections, having served 42 years, including 30 in solitary confinement. Now home for two years, he is a resource for people calling from prison.
Connected to ARC since its inception, Joshua returned home two years ago, began as a volunteer, and has since become a trusted face who consistently lends a hand. When he’s on the phone with someone incarcerated, Joshua makes sure to offer real information and help to dispel myths and “offer hope.”
For Joshua, the magic lies in the small moments: seeing members dance in the hallways, watching people come in to volunteer their time, and being a source of comfort for those still inside.
Izar’s journey with ARC began in juvenile hall. He later became a firefighter at Pine Grove Conservation Camp, where he developed the work ethic he brings to the front desk today. Since October 2024, Izar has been living in ARC’s Magnolia Housing and working at the front desk, helping manage the growing needs of ARC’s new headquarters.
He takes pride in making coffee, restocking supplies, and congratulating members who come home. “They want to be heard and seen. It gives them hope,” he says. Izar enjoys seeing young people come home and offers them guidance to help navigate their new path.
“What makes them special is that they are at the heartbeat of the organization,” ARC member Clarissa says.
ARC’s new headquarters come with challenges, growing staff and a larger space to maintain. That’s where these three step in: refilling supplies and keeping the office clean and comfortable. Even after moving to a bigger space, the front desk staff still make time to greet members and help them feel at home.
According to Clarissa, they ensure members feel comfortable, know who to talk to, and get the help they need with paperwork to get started at ARC.
“If it weren’t for the front desk, I would be lost. They help members feel welcome with a smile. It’s important for our members to feel seen when they walk into an office, especially for the first time,” Clarissa said of the front desk’s importance.
Izar hopes to one day become a barber and earn his cosmetology license. Joshua wants to continue mentoring transitional-age youth and supporting others as they return to society. Walter is dedicated to being of service, “Giving back. To me, it’s a privilege. I do it because it comes from the heart.”
The move to ARC’s new building has brought more people, more space, and more responsibility. But Walter, Izar, and Joshua have stepped up and will be there to greet the next person walking through the door.
