Actress and activist La La Anthony was on hand for a special Thanksgiving dinner with young detainees at Rikers Island this year, complete with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and cornbread. 

The young men at the dinner — all between the ages of 18 and 21 — shared the meal as part of Anthony’s foundation “ThreeSixty,” which provides them with invaluable support while behind bars, from mentorship to legal services.

The star said she was honored to break bread with young people determined to start a new chapter. 

“I’m just excited that they got to bring some of their friends and family to share in a meal and just appreciate each other, love each other,” she said. “Talk about what we’re grateful for.” 

Members of the ThreeSixty initiative said they were grateful to be seen, and heard. 

“Before I got to the initiative, I didn’t really have nothing to look forward to, just going through my days,” detainee Tristian Williams said. “Now I’m here, I know that I wake up tomorrow, I get to see La La… I get to see a lot of loved ones here for me. It’s making my day a little bit easier.” 

“It helps a lot,” detainee Antonyo Bernardez added. “She showed me a different way — how I can value my time while I’m in here.” 

Participants’ family members said Anthony's guidance makes a big difference in their lives.

“La La was talking to him, she's pushing him to continue his music and change the lyrics of his music, because he's so influential,” said Janay Cole, a relative of one detainee. “So she's pushing him to, you know you have this talent, you have this power, you have this following, and if you change, people are going to follow you — you’re gonna to be a leader."

Anthony was not just there for the holidays. All year round, she brings her celebrity friends to Rikers to share words of wisdom with young people ready to make a fresh new start.

“There is life after this,” she said. “This is a moment in your lifetime, but this doesn't define your life, and I want to make sure that they know that."