Beyond The Couch: Helping Returning Citizens Build Lives of Purpose

BEYOND THE COUCH

HELPING RETURNING CITIZENS

Build Lives of Purpose

BY WILLIAM FREEMAN FOUNDER OF PEOPLE OF PURPOSE

Before I came to terms with my better self, my life

journey was rough and rocky for many years. I have a strong personality, and despite my loving family, I learned many hard lessons through bad choices in street life.

I began stealing to support my crack addiction habit and served four prison terms as a result. Each time I left prison without a sense of direction and was unsuccessful. I was sick and tired of failing.

While incarcerated that final time, I attended all available programs and training to help prepare myself for a life with purpose. Christine Handy, author of “Walk Beside Me,” came to the prison and spoke on purpose. Virginia, the assistant county commissioner, also talked about purpose a month later. After that, I went back and asked God what my purpose was.

Pastor JR Thicklin then taught a class, and I became his aide. Over a while, I began to feel better about who I was, and I started to like myself because I was helping other men in prison with me. I started each morning with affirmations and learned to love myself. Before my last release on December 19, 2019, I promised myself that it would be my final incarceration.

To become more responsible, I knew I needed to find mentors. I asked Virginia, who agreed. Later, through a lay-led, interdenominational, Christian prison ministry known as Keryx, I met a man named Bill D. Bill later became my friend, spiritual mentor, and financial advisor. I was fortunate to have these treasured mentors who guided me for reentry and continue to encourage my recovery today.

“ Over a while, I began to feel better about who I was, and I started to like myself because I was helping other men in prison with me. I started each morning with affirmations and learned to love myself.

”

I realized that once I allowed love and support into my life, I began to feel self-worth. As a result, I recognized my deep sense of compassion, and I wanted to give back to society.

Knowing by experience the challenges and pitfalls of reform and reentry, I have dedicated my life to assisting other returning citizens on their path to decent and giving lives, thereby seeking to eliminate recidivism. Today, at age 53, I am grateful and humbled for I am now the proud executive director and founder of People of Purpose, Inc.

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BEYOND THE COUCH

Giving back is as easy as helping with a ride from prison to the Tri-Rail station while listening as someone who understands. Helping returning citizens means providing a brand-new set of clothes to mark a new beginning, providing a home-cooked meal, or arranging a hotel stay. It means paying for vocational trade classes, helping with licensure, or arranging the opportunity to work at an FAU football game.

We embrace developing leadership through service and recognize the dignity of every individual. We promote all citizens’ accountability, responsibility, and contribution and commit to building a strong community. We provide opportunities to empower others to succeed. Our board of directors includes expertise in public and private sector management, education, social justice, and other areas of relevance to returning citizens. Our advisory board provides additional input and logistical support. For more information, please visit www.peopleofpurposefl.org.

Our 501(c)3 organization serves returning citizens and their families in Palm Beach, Hendry, and Okeechobee Counties. Since launching on 1/2/21, we have helped over 100 returning citizens in Florida.

People of Purpose provides post-incarceration support to returning citizens for successful reentry, self-sufficiency, and a greatly needed second chance to restart their lives and close the door on recidivism. We recognize the inherent worth of all people irrespective of their past. Our services include consultation and mentoring, assistance in employment, finding suitable housing, securing personal documents, paying fines, fees, restitution, and related expenses, training in budget and financial planning, voting registration for eligible returning citizens, and other related life skills.

Beyond The Couch highlights non-traditional mental health outlets and resources in Palm Beach County. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “Beyond the Couch” in the subject line.

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