Success Stories

from our Dismas House alumni

Gary with Vincent Strynkowski, Dismas House Program Administrator

James

When James was released from prison in November of 2014, sobriety was the last thing on his mind. “When I was in prison, I used to say that the first that I’m gonna do when I get out is get trashed,” says James. “But I didn’t. I came to Dismas House. And it’s the best thing that happened to me.”

Throughout his time at Dismas House, James learned to care for his health and his finances.
Perhaps most importantly, James reconnected with his son after only two days in the program, and learned that he was going to be a grandfather. This wonderful news served as an even greater impetus for James to change his life.

After graduating from the program, James joined the staff at Dismas House, where he served a mentor and the voice of experience for new residents. Shortly thereafter, he achieved his dream job of becoming a building supervisor. He remains close to his family and the staff at Dismas House to this day.

Mike

When Mike was released from prison, he faced a grim reality. Having returned to the unsafe Queens neighborhood where he lived prior to incarceration, he worried that he wouldn’t be able to get his life on track in such a negative environment. He then moved to Nassau County, but still faced the threat of homelessness. It was a trip to mass at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary (Roosevelt) where Mike first heard about Dismas House, and before long, he took up residence in the transitional home.

During his time as a resident, Mike attended 12-step meetings and worked in a nearby store. But what became immediate to Mike was the incredible comradery he began to develop with his fellow residents and the staff at Dismas House. Once he completed his stay, Mike became a full-time staff member himself.

Today, Mike remains a fixture at Dismas House, where he shares advice with others who were in his position. He regularly attends mass at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in gratitude to those who started him along his path to recovery.

Gary

After many years in prison, Gary was looking forward to his release, but with it came a host of new challenges. In the decades since his incarceration, technology had evolved so drastically that he greeted his newfound freedom with equal parts inquisitiveness and anxiety about the changes around him. How could he re-familiarize himself with a society that he never truly knew?

In 2016, Gary was released from prison and took up residence at Dismas House. Upon arrival, Gary was struck by how much respect he received. “I never felt like anyone was breathing down my neck,” says Gary. Still, in addition to the basic necessities like shelter, food, and clothing, he was offered the same supportive care and structural aid that all Dismas House residents are offered: counseling, mentoring and life skills training, addiction/alcoholism recovery, sobriety maintenance and spiritual guidance.

Upon leaving Dismas House, Gary was able to seek gainful employment as a truck driver, and has moved into his own apartment close to his job.

John

John first heard about Dismas House through the chaplain at Wallkill Correctional Facility, but was admittedly apprehensive about entering the program; would a place like Dismas House allow the independence he needed to get his life on track? After all, he had his commercial driver’s license (CDL) since 1994, but needed to become reacclimated to the road if he planned to return to his driving career.

Immediately, John knew he made the right choice. “I slept so well my first night as Dismas House,” says John. “I had my own room, a comfortable mattress and I felt safe and warm.” In the weeks that followed, John got his first job out of prison, and was able to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

In May of 2018, John graduated from the program, moved into his own apartment, and saved up enough money to purchase a car, which allowed for greater career opportunities.

Ray

Ray’s journey to Dismas House began with a moment of clarity in prison. As someone with long-term substance abuse issues, Ray knew he needed to get clean if he ever wanted to truly change his life. At Fishkill Correctional Facility, Ray committed to sobriety, served as a teaching assistant and earned his college degree in organizational management.

Still, his first nights at Dismas House required another internal change. Years of hardship taught Ray to become reserved, and he struggled to reach out for help. Gradually, Ray leaned to put his trust in others. “I swallowed my pride and asked a million questions, about technology, about how to use an iPhone, about everything that changed,” he says. “I never liked having to ask for help, but I knew it wasn’t going to be the be all and end all for me.”

With help from his brother, Ray was able to secure work as a bookkeeper at an accounting agency in Manhattan. Before long, he moved to his own apartment, and achieved his goal of becoming self-sufficient.