(T&G Staff/JIM COLLINS)
WORCESTER — A pilot program designed to enhance public safety by helping ex-convicts avoid committing new offenses was unveiled today at the Worcester Trial Court.
Click HERE to see the full article on the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
This gallery contains 8 photos.
The Dismas Family Farm gets ready for the next season of planting and growing vegetables by building another greenhouse.
This gallery contains 23 photos.
Dismas friends enjoyed a fun-filled day with hayrides, kids’ games such as pumpkin bowling and three-legged races, good food, & the wood crafts and products from the residents of Dismas Family Farm
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The bustling vendor tents on West Main Street were a typical site on Thursdays during the summer. Filled with local vendors selling their goods and eager shoppers purchasing them, the Westborough Farmers’ Market drew hundreds of curious residents from around the area. The farmers’ market finished out its first year in September after what many believe was a successful run.
Click HERE to see the full article on The Daily Westborough.
In just a few weeks, Westborough will host a lively Farmers’ Market each week on the front lawn of the Evangelical Congregational Church at the intersection of Route 30 and Church Street.
Click HERE to see the full article on The Westborough Patch.
(NECN: Kenneth Craig, Oakham, Mass.) – There’s a central Massachusetts online shopping site that is offering more than great gifts. It’s giving the people who make the gifts a fresh start.
WORCESTER — The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts has awarded a $138,413 planning grant to Dismas House of Massachusetts to address problems surrounding prisoner re-entry in Worcester.
The grant will enable Dismas House and its partners to research what has been successful elsewhere and make adaptations to create a new model for prisoner re-entry, according Jan Yost, president and CEO of the foundation.
“The initiative will begin with a review of evidence-based models that have been implemented elsewhere and will include an analysis of existing resources and gaps in current services. This information will be used to develop a model to pilot in 2012.
“If the pilot is successful, full implementation will follow over the next two to three years,” she said.
Dismas House’s partners in the project include Community Christian Church, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Henry Lee Willis Community Center, Jeremiah’s Inn, Massachusetts Department of Correction, Mosaic Worcester, Spectrum Healthcare, United Congregational Church of Christ, Workforce Central Career Center/City of Worcester, Worcester Community Housing Resources, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and YMCA — Central Branch.
“It takes time and effort, Sadowski said, “but now people are coming to us.” When overlook Farm in Rutland had an extra 40 pounds of carrots and garlic, Lopez was happy to oblige. Last year the Abbey started getting tomatoes and greens from the Dismas house Farm in Oakham, a 35-acre farm where former prisoners get a fresh start by growing fresh vegetables.”
“Holy Cross’ long history with Dismas House, a model community program for former prison inmates, has reached another milestone. With this new chapter, the engaged learning and social justice opportunities that are a hallmark of Holy Cross have been enhanced.”
Click HERE to see the full article at the College of the Holy Cross.
Dismas is Family. You feel welcome whenever you enter any of our homes. Since 1988, Dismas House has been welcoming former prisoners back to greater Worcester. In our homes, Dismas House, Dismas Family Farm, and the Father John Brooks House, and our other apartments, former prisoners are engaged in the hard work of rebuilding lives, and rekindling hope for themselves and their families.
Families with kids, volunteer Board members, live-in international students, and church groups help create the family atmosphere by breaking bread with residents and spending the holidays with them.
Our dedicated staff – many former prisoners themselves – provide key educational, recovery, and reentry tools to our residents. And Dismas House works – in 2007, The Eisenhower Foundation cited Dismas House of Massachusetts as one of the top seven prisoner reentry programs in the United States. Dismas House residents give back to the community – building a brand new playground at Banis Park, adopting Crystal Park and the Tom Asche Little League field, volunteering at the Blackstone Canalfest and building community gardens. Why not become the newest member of the family?
