My Life Is An Outward Demonstration Of Forgiveness

Josh | Graduated September 2021

My service heart started while I was in prison.

I saw what was happening on the yard and I knew I wanted no part of it. I dug in and got two jobs to fill my time. As a COIII clerk I helped men find places to live and get approved to halfway houses. After a couple months of doing that I was blessed to get a job as a WIPP Clerk. As a clerk I was able to help men get jobs and it was then that I realized I had a servant heart. I enjoyed seeing others succeed and better themselves.

Originally, I wasn’t going to come to New Freedom. I already had a job as a sprinkler fitter that I had already done for 20+ years before prison. A coworker in the WIPP office who happened to be in contact with NFP, threw a packet of lessons and applications on my bed and informed me I would be going to New Freedom. At first I was defiant thinking “who does this guy think he is”. The more I thought about it, I figured I could take the easier softer way and go back to what I had always known or I could step up like a man and do it on my own. I took that gentleman up on his offer to go to New Freedom.

As soon as I walked into the New Freedom facility, Denise McDonald walked up to me and gave me the biggest hug and told me “Welcome Home.”

At that moment my heart melted and I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be… In God’s Hands. When I went through the program there were no vocational electives. I actively sought out ways that I could help others. I didn’t want to sit back and watch things happen. I wanted to be a part of the solution, which was building up this program for the next guy getting out.

“I still carry around my graduation coin. That coin reminds me that I am part of something bigger than myself. It reminds me that I am part of a community that values courage and authenticity. I took the values of New Freedom to heart and it has never let me down since. I am part of a family.”

I still carry around my graduation coin.

That coin reminds me that I am part of something bigger than myself. It reminds me that I am part of a community that values courage and authenticity. I took the values of New Freedom to heart and it has never let me down since. I am part of a family. I waited six months before I could come back to work at New Freedom. I grinded it out in the construction world. When a position came up, it was like magic. I was hired on the spot to be a Peer Support Specialist.

The vocational department was practically just a rumor at the time but was beginning to gain traction. As a peer support it was not only my duty but it was my pleasure to try and help as many people as possible. One day, Justin Proulx came to me and said it was my time to step into a role in the newly developed vocational department. I fit in like a glove. It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To come in every day with one objective… help somebody level up into the next stage of development.

I was once given a quote in prison on my path to finding God.

It said that “most Godly thing you can do is to forgive others for everything.” My life of service is an outward demonstration of forgiveness to myself and also to others. It is an honor to have the opportunity to write and share a part of what has helped mold me into the man I am today. I hope that if anyone decides to come to New Freedom, you come with an open mind and a positive attitude. I look forward to meeting many of you and until then, God Bless.