Nick and his son Mason
My name is Nick and I’ve been at Damascus for 4 months. I had a big addiction of selling drugs and making ‘fast money’ – and because of it, I went to prison just before my son was born. I missed him badly. I would spend holidays with some of my friends in the cell block and we would help each other to ‘keep it together’ so we wouldn’t cry or get depressed. Having a young son caused me to do some serious soul searching. I told myself once I got out, I would never go back to prison or be away from my little boy.
Damascus Way has been helpful keeping me on the straight and narrow. When I first arrived I was a wild child, but through patience and guidance, the staff has helped me slow down and mature. Before coming to Damascus Way I never had a job. I always sold drugs and made easy money. But now I have my first job ever and feel proud and good inside. Now it feels good and right to give presents bought with money that I earned the right way. I had been working for a company through a temp agency but that company asked me to work directly for them with a raise and benefits!
I feel I’m on the right road and hope I stay on it. I would love your prayers. Now I can’t wait to be with my family and especially my little boy, Mason, who just turned 2-years-old. I feel sort of sad that I don’t have the money to buy him the presents I want but at least I can get him a couple. I think it will be okay because he just wants to be with me.
The only sad part of going home is that my grandpa will not be there. He died while I was in prison and I miss him very much. I lived with my grandparents off and on for many years and had a close relationship with him. But I am hopeful that I will see him again one day and he will be able to see his great grandson and be proud of us both!
-Nick