We have noticed that there is a difference in opinions when it comes to what we do. Some of the comments on our post have been very supportive and some very hateful. People ask, “why don't you just let them stay in prison” or “they all deserve to be locked up for life”. It's comments like these that show the bias mentality and lack of public education in our communities. This blog is intended to help educate those in our communities so we can help lower the chance of repeat offenses. In order to really explain why we decided to get involved with helping ex-offenders I have to tell you my story.
My name is Daniel, I'm a husband, and a father (1 son and 1 daughter). We also have 2 cats and 4 dogs. I started going to church at 10 years old. I loved training and competing in jiu-jitsu before my car accident. My life is never boring. I have owned and operated several businesses, cultivated leadership development for other corporations. In all regards, my life is blessed and successful. It's when I tell people that I did 10 years in prison that they are surprised. I grew up with good parents who tried their best to keep me out of trouble. I grew up in the church and decided I wanted be a pastor. Man, I was not ready for the spiritual attack when I said that. I was weak in faith and gave into the world. I became hard headed and decided I knew better than my parents and church leaders. I ran away and got into drugs and alcohol. I started doing things just to see if I could get away with it. All my crimes and bad deeds eventually caught up to me and I was sent to a prison diversion program for young adults. I was given a 7 year suspended sentence and all I had to do was complete a drug and behavioral program to avoid it. Again, I was still missing something in my life, so I rebelled and left the program with a couple of guys who got in trouble. We went on a crime spree and ended up doing a lot of drugs and drinking a lot. The cops were called on us eventually and we ended up being arrested for armed carjacking. I could write a book just on my prison experience, but to shorten the story I did what I had to do to get out. After 10 years, my mom met me at the gates and we cried for what seemed like forever. I was the prodical son returned to my parents. Throughout the years I worked and searched for something to make me happy. I was still missing something. I was running from God, and it was making me bitter. It wasn't until I surrendered my life to Christ and truly chased a relationship with God that my purpose started to form. I finally gave in to some family friends that had been asking me to go into the prisons to witness to the guys in there. I always said, “I would never go back into the prisons willingly.” I did end up going in just to “try it out”. God immediately showed me a need. Once I gave in to God's calling, doors opened that I could have never imagined. It was in that first act of obedience that I realized that what I went through has a purpose. There are so many men and women who are struggling in our communities because of the mentality that if you did the crime do the time. The only problem with that is that it doesn't just end with the time in prison. You are forever marked with a seal that is debilitating to most people. I am blessed to know a few men who have triumphed over the stigma of this. The percentage of people who actually can overcome the PTSD, depression, abandonment, poverty, biasness, etc. is very low. Let's say you go to prison and get out, you are faced with menial work because most companies will not hire you. Which means you won't be able to find above poverty housing. You are forced to either think outside of the box or give in to old habits. It was these struggles that I had to learn to overcome, but how many people could be saved from this struggle, if just offered some help and shown God’s love?
2 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
We are able to guide individuals towards God and healing because we know what it feels like. In that support role, we are able to guide them towards a better living environment and stable career choices. When it comes to community education, we educate on how to welcome ex-offenders back into our communities. How to treat them like regular human beings and not treat them as though they are to be feared. Not all ex-offenders are violent or sexual offenders, and I think that is the general belief from some of the people who hate on our ministry. People change, you just have to show them there is a better way. Not everyone has been taught how to speak or react a certain way. Our goal is to bridge the men & women on both sides and bring them together.
