Many years ago, Greg was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. He was sentenced to 211 years in prison. He felt like his life was over. How could he ever fix this? Even though life in prison wasn’t easy, he took the time to learn about the law and his rights. He wanted another chance at the truth and a normal life.
His research and efforts paid off after 15 years when his conviction was overturned.
But life after prison wasn’t easy for Greg. Starting over came with big challenges. He was given only $300 upon his release and didn’t have much of a support system. Without a job or home, and no clear path forward, life felt overwhelming. Greg didn’t know where to begin to find help. Then one day, he got connected with Goodwill.
Greg was able to find supportive housing and employment services through Goodwill’s Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program. While in the FCS program, Greg found stability. He was paired with a case manager who truly cared. She helped him navigate tough situations and guided him through each step of rebuilding his life. Her support gave Greg the confidence to take action and move forward towards his goals.
With her encouragement, Greg was able to get a job with an organization that he was already involved with. This job not only matched his skills, but also his goals. In fact, he helped create the position by writing his own job description. This gave him a sense of purpose and control over his future that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Today, Greg’s life is moving in a positive direction. He has a steady job, clear goals, and hope for the future. He also started Law School, so he can help others who experience wrongful convictions like he did. When he thinks about the help he has received through the FCS program, he says, “I think more programs like this should exist.”
Greg’s story is proof that with the right support, even the toughest of second chances can lead to great success.