They're 'Almost Home'

From Catholic Free Press
By Dolores Courtemanche
CFP Correspondent

WEST BOYLSTON: A family-style dinner is enjoyed around a table set for 10 to 14. Later, a group of men curl up in afghans to watch television.

Nothing unusual here except these men have recently been released from the Worcester County Jail and are soaking up the warm, family atmosphere at Almost Home, a house on the grounds of the jail where they were the first group to complete a 90-day program.

Almost Home had once been the home of the former sheriff. In the hope of lowering the jail’s recidivism rate, Sheriff Guy W. Glodis had the house remodeled to accommodate a rehabilitation program for 12 men. It is a partnership between his office and the parole board and is operated by Dismas House in Worcester, a nonprofit agency where former inmates can live for six to nine months while they work and take part in programs. A staff of 11 operates both houses.

Before they are accepted into the program, candidates are interviewed three times. Those chosen are highly motivated to confront addictions to drugs and alcohol, said Colleen Hilferty, co-director of Dismas House. She said the sheriff’s staff works closely with candidates and helps select those who will fit in well.

“The Catholic Community has been very supportive,” she said, adding that Father Jose A. Rodriguez, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, comes to the house twice a month with some of his parishioners to cook dinner.

“The first time, they brought Spanish food, rice and beans, chicken, pork chops, salad … good stuff,” said Carlos Medina, 24. “We went crazy for it so now they bring it all the time.”

Almost Home offers a social setting. Dinner conversations can range from ping-pong, a favorite activity, to Emeril’s cooking, said Ms. Hilferty.

Women from St. Luke’s Parish crocheted afghans for the men and brought them Easter baskets. Mondays through Fridays, church and community groups, college students and individual families bring meals to prepare then sit down and join the men for dinner.

The Sullivan family cooks meals at the house twice a month. They come with a group from their church, St. Mary’s Parish in North Grafton, and once as a family.

The men love food and are easy to please, said Jill Sullivan. “We love the mood of the family table. It’s a good thing. A lot happens when you’re sharing food across the table. And we get even more out of it than they do,” she said nodding toward her children, Colleen, 18, and Patrick, 15.

After 90 days of intensive therapy programs from morning to evening, vocational training and 12-step programs for drug and alcohol addictions, the men have a better grasp of recovery, how to hold a job and, most importantly, a sense of self-worth, and they’re better able to move into the community, said David McMahon, co-director of Dismas House.

McMahon said many of these people are at high risk to offend again. At Dismas House, 69 percent to 75 percent of the men do not return to jail. The goal is for 80 percent at Almost Home.

The cost to keep an inmate in jail is about $48,000 a year. Ms. Hilferty pointed out that if 80 percent of the more than 40 men who are expected to go through the program each year never return to jail, over time the numbers will be substantial and have an effect on many lives.

“Programs come and go but what really touches these individuals is that a group of people give a damn about them,” said James DiReda, director of treatment services. “We help them recover self-esteem and worth.

“We help these people grow up and learn who they are and take responsibility. There are reasons they use alcohol and drugs. It numbs their pain. We teach them to learn what their pain is and to deal with it.

“We know people can go on and live happy productive lives,” he added. “I’ve seen tremendous changes in men in people I wouldn’t have believed could change.”

At an informal graduation of sorts, the men received certificates for their participation in the program. There was a bit of banter as the staff congratulated each man for his achievements and the men laughed and recalled some of the lighter moments of the past few months. There were also many expressions of gratitude.

Carlos Medina, who has not had a drink in two years, said his problems were “always about drugs and alcohol.”

Home “I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to live a new life,” he said. “Keep it simple and take it one day at a time.”

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