Tell us how you came to TPOM.

At first, I thought I would go straight home. But then I saw a TPOM brochure at the Northeast Annex and I decided I needed to do the halfway house route. I kept feeling like the Lord was calling me to a program like TPOM’s.

What were some of the things you were thinking about when you first arrived?

I didn’t have any great concerns. Even from my phone interview, David was so kind and welcoming that I felt like I would be in good hands. And when I got to the office that first day, everyone was so welcoming. They felt like family before they were family.

How did your job search go?

Fred was a great help. I started immediately with Industrial at a low-skill job. I had better skills such as training as a block mason, but I got to get to work quickly. I was patient, did the work, and waited for a better opportunity. Now I have a great job and a Christian man for a boss. I work as a delivery clerk for J. E. Dunn and I manage all the delivery trucks as they come into the construction site (a major development project that includes the 100-year-old Neuhoff building in Germantown).

Tell me about your faith.

I’m definitely a believer and I couldn’t have done it without the Lord’s help. “I was blind, but now I see,” as they say. I now can see the Lord at work. The story of the Prodigal Son keeps popping up in conversations. I always think, “That’s me!” The Lord keeps reminding me. I have a Bible app on my phone and every day I open it, do the devotional and Bible reading, and then pray. The Lord humbled me and now I’m a happy person.

What plans do you have for the future?

I want a career. My boss has talked to me about certification as a safety specialist and staying on with the company. I’m on a saving kick; it’s like a hobby to me as I save for the future. I’m working on my relationship with my kids, enjoying my sister who’s my best friend, and seeing my dad.

What advice do you have for people preparing for the reentry process?

If you are serious about a new beginning, here is the place. They make you feel safe and give you the tools to succeed. Then you put forth the effort. Whatever you need–clothing, work, medical care, emotional support–they provide. It makes you want to help the next person. These people are great; they make it easy to be good.