Johnathon
“When I first walked through the doors of in2Action, I thought to myself, “I’m not going to make it, so I might as well just give up now.”
Those are the words of Johnathon, who came to the in2Action program in November 2019. “I didn’t see any potential in myself. I was thinking, there’s no way I’m going to make it.” Now, 2½ months later, Johnathon has a whole new perspective toward himself and toward life. He actually sees a future for himself, and it’s getting brighter by the day.
But it hasn’t been easy. It took Johnathon about three weeks to finally feel at ease here – which isn’t unusual at all. (Many of our residents battle with severe anxiety upon their release from prison. Research is now affirming what ex-offenders have known for a long time: Post-Incarceration Syndrome is a relatively new term associated with the after-effects of prison traumas.) “When I first got here, everyone was so polite and eager to help and supportive; people actually cared about me…and it was overwhelming.” Finally, he started feeling comfortable and content here, as he began learning to trust others.
A major challenge for Johnathon has been missing his family and wishing he could be with them – even though he knows that the environment back home is a very unhealthy one, to say the least. Johnathon knew if he left in2Action prematurely, it would most certainly mean an eventual return to prison. (He notes: “I didn’t like prison the first two times; I probably wouldn’t like it the third time!”) It has been a struggle to resist the temptation to leave in2Action, but he knew it was the “mature and responsible” thing to do. He jokes, “those are two words I never would have used to describe myself before!” At times it has also been a struggle to resist the drugs that once had such stronghold over his life. So far, however, he has prevailed over the old addictions. “But the temptations never go away,” he says.
Perhaps his greatest challenge has been his nervousness about finding a job. He quips: “I don’t have the best track record; I sure wouldn’t hire me!” Dwelling on those thoughts and on his lack of self-confidence led Johnathon to his lowest point while at in2Action, several weeks ago. He was so down-in-the-dumps about it and so hopeless of finding gainful employment that he came close to throwing in the towel. At a time when Johnathon had just about made up his mind to leave, his house manager approached him with a question: “Are you interested in an opportunity to get on-the-job training through a new work experience program?” Johnathon jumped at the chance, and it has been a game-changer for him.
Through a partnership with the Central Workforce Development Board and the Job Center, Johnathon has been working for in2Action as a Maintenance trainee over the past several weeks. Another resident, Alan Bonnot, serves as the in2Action Maintenance Supervisor and has been training Johnathon in a variety of skills related to maintaining and repairing residential housing units. Johnathon says the experience has built up his self-esteem and has been a life-changer for him. The icing on the cake? Today (as of this writing) he accepted a full-time position with a local HVAC business as a technician! Needless to say, he is elated!
Johnathon credits his transformation to the support he has received at in2Action and the people who care about him. He also says having God and the Bible back in his life has made all the difference. “Being here has been a life-changing and amazing experience. It has shown me that I am somebody and I’m worth something and if I want something bad enough I have to work for it. I love being here.”
Johnathon is looking forward to starting his new job, having his own place, and eventually getting his driver’s license back. (That is another huge obstacle, which will take some time.) But that’s OK; he notes: “There’s no easy way to live. Why continue down the same path that gets you nowhere? It’s time to do some hard things.”
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