“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 [...]
“The Dismas House is rapidly gaining attention for its innovative methods of reintegrating former prisoners into society. By providing housing and support services, Dismas House staff are part of a healthy alternative to restructuring one’s life in the streets with few resources. The Dismas Family Farm, on 25 acres in Oakham, is among the organization’s highly successful programs. Ward Holloway is its Farm Steward.” Click HERE to read the interview of our Farm Steward on the Worcester Magazine.
Dismas House of Massachusetts is being held up as a model prisoner re-entry program for communities nationwide to imitate. Dismas was recognized as a model by the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation in Washington, D.C. The foundation had LaFrance Associates research team in San Francisco study Dismas and six other programs, according to Jennie Amison. Mrs. Amison is director of the foundation’s Replications for Previously Incarcerated Persons program. She is also the executive director of its Gemeinschaft Home in Harrisonburg, Va., [...]
WORCESTER — A local foundation yesterday pledged more than $1 million in immediate funding — and as much as $3 million over the next several years — toward the goal of not just stemming the tide of chronic adult homelessness, but eradicating it altogether in the city. The ambitious initiative, announced by the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, is to begin immediately and will initially target 125 people, an estimated 20 percent of Worcester’s chronic homeless population. “Chronically homeless people [...]
St John’s students and residents of Dismas House and Almost Home got together to clean up University Park this spring. Dismas has held several cleanups of the park, and will work with community partners to continue keeping the park free of trash, and also working to help beautify this park asset in Main South Worcester. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Dismas to team up for an on-going weekly clean-up.
Scottie Guzman and Dismas residents have adopted Crystal Park, as part of an ongoing effort to turn the park around, and make it a safer, cleaner park for families. As part of Dismas’ ongoing commitment, residents clean up litter, lead crews to paint benches, repair picnic benches, plant and maintain flowers, and volunteer at park festivals.
WORCESTER — Staff members of Dismas House at 30 Richards St. thought they would be successful three years ago just to get new beds and ceiling fans for their residents. They got a surprise. Because of generous community, state and foundation response, Dismas House was able to raise $230,000 to completely refurbish the 130-year-old house, put in a new kitchen, renovate all the bedrooms and increase its capacity by turning the old carriage house into new living space. Dismas House, [...]
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