Client Stories and Testimonials

William - Bridgeport Services

About 27 years of my life, I have spent incarcerated due to drugs, alcohol and simply living in denial.  The number I identified with was 59433, and during all that time I thought, felt and acted according to that pattern I had set for myself.  Now, today I stand before you, not as a number, but as Mr. William [last name], a dedicated father, a devoted husband, and a man among men.

I owe this new outlook to Family ReEntry.  Instead of using my past against me, they brought to light something that was buried deep inside of me, and gave me some tools to help dig them out.  ReEntry has also provided support to help me deal with that past, stability to keep me focused, and guidance to accompany me in the future.  I'm taking advantage of what ReEntry has to offer:  programs such as Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Couples Counseling, and my favorite, the Reentry Support Group, where you can come and just draw strength from each other.

Because of these programs and the dedicated, professional staff at Family ReEntry, my life has been enriched.  I'm able to accept myself for who I am and actually like myself today.  ReEntry has helped to equip me to meet the challenges that life offers, with courage and hope.  Today I focus on priorities and set reachable goals.  I take it one day at a time.  When I reflect back at my life, what I've done and where I've been, I am constantly reminded of the life-changing work that's being done at Family ReEntry.  Unfortunately there are a lot of hurting people out there who need help.  And fortunately for some, there is Family ReEntry.

Tiarra and her Mentor, Abigail - Champions Mentoring Program

Tiarra was 6 years old when she started with the Champions Program. Tiarra is a very petite little girl who reminds you of a fairy. She is sweet, kind and vying for love and attention. Her mother is in prison, so, at one point she was living with her father, until inappropriate behavior towards Tiarra caused her to once again to be removed from the one person she counted on.

Abigail is Tiarra's mentor. She is also Miss Latina East Coast.  Putting a pageant queen with a girl named "Tiarra" seemed like a match made in heaven.

In Fall 2005, we were confirming children still participating in Champions at the school sites, and found Tiarra not registered at her school. This news was devastating to both the staff and Abigail. Through tireless research, we finally found Tiarra living with her grandmother.  In October 2005, a reunion was scheduled for Tiarra and Abigail to be reunited at her new school. When the classroom door opened and Tiarra saw Abigail, she got up from her desk and ran toward the door, crying "You didn't forget about me, I thought I would never see you again, but you found me," as she was clutching her mentor's hands. With the teacher, school counselor and our staff at the point of tears, Abigail said, " I Could Never Forget About You."

Fernando - Family Violence Education Program

Fernando, came to the Family Violence Education Program after being arrested.  He was married with two young children - girls aged 3 and 5.  His wife was 24 and the control issues centered on his desire for his wife not to associate with certain friends.  His conflict extended to her family who were protective of her and the children.

Throughout the program Fernando reported improvements in his communication with his wife and changes in his expectations of her. Facilitators noticed greater responsibility taken by Fernando towards the conflict and his desire to build skills to address differences he and his wife had.  At the conclusion of the program, Fernando reported that he and his wife were working together on projects around the house (painting the kids' bedrooms), social outings they alternately chose (e.g. Sunday family outings or Friday night dance clubs), and the pinnacle of his achievement was when his mother-in-law requested he drive her to North Carolina ... just the two of them. This became a "bonding" experience for them both and he reported satisfaction and pride that she knew him for the man he wanted to be. Fernando credited the program for his ability to see his situation differently, to recognize that his wife had a right to her interests and friends and that there were appropriate ways for him to express his feelings which had been so difficult for him in the past.

James T. - Bridgeport Services - (2000)

The following is taken from a transcript of a talk James made at a Family ReEntry award ceremony in November 2000.  James was a Bridgeport client who worked with Family ReEntry counselor, Bill Macklin.

James: It's an honor and privilege for me to be here tonight.  I have to thank my higher power.  If someone had told me two years ago that I would be here receiving such an award, I would probably tell them that they are two french fries short of a happy meal.

I was locked up two years today, I had already done two months and was unaware that I would be in there another sixteen months.  I saw a lot of things in jail that told me I did not belong in there.  I realized I made some bad choices and it was up to me to take responsibility and correct those choices.

I got out of jail on May 5th of this year.  I had no options. I had no hope. I had little self-esteem.  I started closing myself off to everybody.  They put me on a monitoring program and as a matter of fact it's ironic, today, they cut my bracelet off of me.

At that point in my life, I had no options, I could not find none in jail. It was all about survival in there.  I witnessed people being caught up in the system.  To me, the system seemed geared to keep people in a revolving door.  They get X amount of dollars for each inmate and they made a business out of it.  Crime is starting to pay for certain people.
These people that are incarcerated, they have no options, they have no way to better themselves in there, it's all about survival.  When you are behind those walls, you either make it or you don't!  I thank God for bringing me out of there and I thank Family ReEntry for being outside that door when I walked out.

When I first met Bill Macklin, you are right Bill, I sat around, I was quiet, I had to check him out.  This guy was too smooth.  At one group he said something that just clicked on in me, and from that day on I lost myself in helping others.  I found the real secret to life that I had been missing for so many years.  I am 46 years old and it took me that long to find out that life is all about helping others.  And the more I got involved with helping others, the more opportunities I found available to myself.

Family ReEntry gave me guidelines.  They made me dig deep into myself.  I know where I want to go and where I want to be.  I have a 5-year plan right now and because of Family ReEntry, I am way ahead of schedule.

One of the things I was inspired to do I got involved with computers.  I was always fascinated by them.  I had to learn how to turn one on, but today I have typing skills, I have basic computer skills, I am more marketable in the job market.  As a matter of fact, at the time I met Bill, I was unemployed. Today I have two jobs and I put myself into everything I do now, because I know it's the right thing.  I know I can excel, if I am doing something right.

I composed this poem ......  it's the feelings I associate with Family ReEntry and I'd like to share this poem with you......

I've come so far in four little weeks
Although the mountains seem so high
I learned to reach it's highest peaks
To set goals beyond the sky
From the moment I stepped through the door
I found the key to success starts with "I can"
And now my spirit can finally soar
"I Can Crawl" "I Can Walk" "I Can Stand"
In life what sometimes appears to be the end
Is really a new beginning
So as I leave I proclaim to my new found friend
That from now on in life "I'll be winning" . . . .

Clarence - Bridgeport Services

Clarence's life experiences and his new success in life sounded familiar to the Gilbert's.  "I have been living on the streets of Bridgeport since I was nine years old" he said.  "I spent six years in prison and came out about a year ago.  I had no place to go, no clothes, no one to turn to, and just $50 in my pocket.  I knew I didn't want to go back to the life I had been living."  He was referred to Family ReEntry by his probation officer.  "At first I didn't think talking to Melissa (his Family ReEntry counselor) would help, but before I knew it, I was just pouring out my brains to her, thinking about things I had never thought about before.  It has been really hard; it is hard to change.  But it has helped so much to have Melissa to talk to.  I have been tempted, but I know I am not going back to that life."  As tears rolled down his cheeks, he said "It might seem funny to you that I'm crying, but I have all these emotions, and I just never had so much emotion before."  Clarence gained enough self-confidence in his work with Melissa to find a job, perform well and even receive a promotion.  He spends a lot of time with his family and realizes that now he can be a positive role model for both his family and his community.

Client Letters

Client Letter 1 (PDF)

Client Letter 2 (PDF)

Client Letter 3 (PDF)

Client Letter 3 (PDF)

Quotes from Clients of Family ReEntry

James B. - Fresh Start ReEntry Pilot Program

"The person coming out of prison is starting over with nothing-from scratch.  To survive they need positive people around them.  They need people that want to help them and give them inspiration to be different.  Those people that want to help are right here at Family ReEntry.  I know guys in the Program that have turned their lives around and that gives me inspiration that I can too. Before I entered the Program I had no hope that my life could be different now I know my life can be different!"

Ira - Champions Mentoring Program

"My favorite thing is to see my mentor! We have fun playing games and doing arts and crafts. LaRee has taught me a lot. She evens brings her laptop computer in for me to use. We have so much fun together!"

Rajhoin - Champions Mentoring Program

"I love coming here every week to hang out with my mentor, Tyese. We play games and talk. My favorite game to play with him is checkers. We get to have dinner together too! It's the best."

Jesse - Transitions Mentoring In-Prison Program, four years after leaving prison

When I got to prison, I thought my life would never be more than in and out, in and out. I had given up, like most of the guys on my prison unit. Thank God Family ReEntry helped me believe that I could set goals and make a plan and reach those goals. I am so glad they stuck with me.  Now I have a good job, a beautiful wife and family and I believe in a good future for all of us."

Tamica - Bridgeport Services

"Before I started coming to Family ReEntry, I didn't really know who I was. Sharing with the staff and other women in the program helped me to realize how important my life is. I'm learning to take care of myself and think for myself for the first time."

Richard - Reentry Services

"When I first joined the ex-offenders support group I was doubtful about how useful it would be. I'd just sit there.  After a while, I really got to know about myself. I know Family ReEntry can really help you---more than you could ever believe."

Lavonbria - Anger Management

"I had a temper problem. The Anger Management program taught me how to control my temper and speak to people with more respect. I now have the skills to help me cope with different situations."

Victor - The Parenting Program

"The Parenting Education Group has helped me to have more responsible relationship with my children.  It made such a tremendous impact on me that I became a program co-facilitator. It is now my mission to help others."

Carlos - Anger Management

"For 28 years, I battled with drug and alcohol abuse and uncontrollable anger. My therapist helped me to develop the skills to manage my anger. I learned to live life on life's terms. Now clean and sober, I co-facilitate an anger management group for Family ReEntry, which helps to keep me refreshed." (Carlos now lives in Florida with his family where he got a building maintenance job at a Lutheran School).

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