New Freedom is Nothing Short of a Modern-Day Miracle

Rodney | Graduated February 2022

Hello, my name is Rodney Entin, and this is my journey through New Freedom.

I’ll start with a little about myself. I started using drugs in my early teens and progressed from there. I had what I thought was a great idea to sell drugs to support my habit. Little did I realize at the time how these decisions would alter the rest of my life. As my drug use increased, so did the risks I took to make money. I ended up in the criminal justice system repeatedly before finally going to prison for the first time. After that, I managed to return to prison several more times in two different states. My last sentence was when my life changed.

I encountered New Freedom through a newsletter called The Navigator.

I noticed several people in prison around me receiving them and I asked if I could read one. I was filled with questions about New Freedom, this new facility for men like me was about to open. I found their address and wrote to them asking my questions and how they could help me. I wanted to know what I needed to do so I could attend the New Freedom program upon my release.

I received a letter from one of their mentors who explained the program to me and what I needed to do if I was interested in coming. The requirements were simple. I had to stay ticket free, work on my recovery, and participate in their mentorship program. The most important piece they stressed was the desire to change my life. The curriculum consisted of lessons to read and fill out. It was so they could get to know me but for me it was to get to know who I am. They encouraged me to think about life after prison in a positive way. I grew excited to go to New Freedom and for the first time, I felt that someone cared about what happened to me after prison.

“I walked out the gates and a New Freedom representative was waiting for me just as they said would happen. When we arrived I was excited but a little scared. It soon became just excitement. I walked in and was immediately greeted by people saying, ‘Welcome Home’.”

On my day of release, I walked out those gates and a New Freedom representative was waiting for me just as they said would happen.

When we arrived, I was excited but a little scared. It soon became just excitement. I walked in and was immediately greeted by people saying, “Welcome Home”. I heard that several more times as my intake process continued. I didn’t fully understand what they meant by “Welcome Home” until later in my journey. I was given a big bag of clothes and hygiene. I greatly appreciated it and I thought, “Wow, they really do care”.

Beginning on the first day the New Freedom staff began helping me make plans for after New Freedom. They helped me obtain my state ID, birth certificate, a phone, and even an eye exam and glasses. The groups I went to every day were a very important component. They helped me understand why I kept going back to prison and what I needed to do to break the cycle. Graduation day came and I was filled with hope. I was proud but most importantly I was prepared. I had a place to live because while I was at New Freedom, they helped me find one. I had a job because they helped me prepare for getting one. New Freedom also offers electives; I chose Peer Support. I found a job at Community Bridges as an Outreach Navigator II in Phoenix. While I was a member at New Freedom, I volunteered to help with the set up and break down for Position of Neutrality and Recovery Church events which are held weekly.

My new life was about to begin but I wanted to remain part of this amazing place in some way, so I asked if they needed an intern in the Media Department and they did.

This began my second journey at New Freedom. Coming back to New Freedom as an intern has been the greatest honor of my life. Now every day I am able to give back to my people, those fellow ex-inmates, like myself. I am serving my community in ways I never thought possible. I help the homeless, sponsor people, help members with resources and most of all I am serving a greater purpose. Now I work for New Freedom in the same media department where I was an intern. I heard an adage along this journey that I live by: “Who you are and Whose you are.” And “God = Power.” New Freedom is nothing short of a modern-day miracle.