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A new beginning: Uniontown transition program guides former inmates

By Erin Hayes for The 5 min read
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John F. Brothers|Herald-Standard

The Rev. Terry Sanders, director and founder of Genesis House, greets guest at a “Not So Black Tie” event at the New Meadow Run Bruderhof Community in Farmington.

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John F. Brothers|Herald-Standard

Debra Ellis, Genesis House case manager, introduces Thomas Darrell, former professional baseball player and Genesis House client who credits the program with helping him to turn his life around.

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John F. Brothers|Herald-Standard

Debra Ellis, Genesis House case manager, listens as Jeffrey Curtis, talks about his experiences as a Genesis House client during a “Not So Black Tie” event hosted by New Meadow Run Bruderhof Community in Farmington.

The Rev. Terry Sanders has a mission: To save lives, one life at a time, by helping young men overcome addiction and transform themselves into contributing members of society.

So passionate is Sanders that it wasn’t enough for him to minister to the men at the Fayette County Prison, where he’s served as chaplain for the last decade. He wanted to help them transition back into society, and offer them a better chance at success after their release, so he founded Genesis House.

He’s hopeful the nonprofit, faith-based facility in Uniontown will help alleviate recidivism, and keep those he serves off drugs.

“The initial arrest is where the process of rehabilitation starts, and we are part of a team to make that happen,” said Sanders.

However, because Genesis House is not considered to be a treatment program, it is limited in its sources of funding, and relies on donations to continue the services it provides.

When Sanders asked Lisa Ferris, chief executive officer of Fayette County’s behavioral health administration, about changing the program focus to become eligible for funding help, Ferris said she was adamant in her answer — don’t do it.

“You’ll have all that stuffy red tape to deal with, and you’ll lose the things that work,” she recounted saying. “We’ve never had this kind of faith-based program before.”

”We are so blessed to have Genesis House. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened so far as far as saving lives in this county.”

Ferris and several clients from the program spoke at a recent event for Genesis House, one of several scheduled in an effort to keep the program operating without the “red tape” that comes with state or federal funding.

“I believe solutions are going to come from what we’re doing and there is a need for us to expand,” Sanders said. “I’m passionate about what I’m doing because of my past and because these guys are no longer ex cons. They’ve paid their debt, and they’re going to be returning home as contributing members of society.”

When Jeffrey Alexander Curtis came to Genesis House, he said that Sanders’ program helped him realize his potential, and overcome addiction. The program, he said, saved his life.

“Sanders was my divine intervention. He filled a role that no one else would undertake — to untap that unseen potential (in me). And one day I hope to be able to share the gifts that were so generously given to us.”

The residential facility houses up to 18 men. Rather than sending “returning citizens” (as Sanders calls the residents) into society without support, the program provides counseling, mentoring, job skills development, job placement services and family reintegration assistance.

However, it is faith that is the foundation of the program.

Sanders said Proverbs 3:5,6 is one of the foundational scriptures for the program: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

For Brandon Collins, 25, the program filled the void that often leads to addiction with the spirituality needed for a full recovery.

“They slowly put us back into society as men of dignity, of integrity, not just a broken man trying to get a job,” he said. “I was on a path to my grave, but since I’ve been (at Genesis House), I’ve found a new family and I have many brothers. It’s love. I thank God for steering (Sanders) into my life.”

Daniel Gearing, manager of Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing, LLC, said he believes in the Genesis House mission. He’s partnered with Sanders to provide employment opportunities for the program’s clients.

“These guys come out, and they’re hungry to work. Most employers don’t even consider hiring someone with a record, but they’re missing out on bright and often eager segment of the workforce,” he said.

With a criminal record, newly released inmates often find themselves unable to find employment and lacking the life skills to make it on their own. Many have no place to go.

Christopher Fisher, 25, said participating in the Genesis House program saved his life. He’d been an addict for eight years, and met Sanders after his last brush with the law.

“I had just given up on myself, but after six months at Genesis House, I’ve learned to live my life as a Christian man and demand more of myself,” Fisher said.

Thomas Darrell, another client, said he’s gone through countless other programs, but none of those worked for him.

“It does no good to clean yourself up on the outside if you’re still broken and empty on the inside,” said Darrell, 39, whose addiction waylaid a promising baseball career. “After 14 years of rehab in county jail and state prison, I’d gone through all the programs. I thank (Sanders) for his relentless mission to help change lives and save lives from hopelessness.”

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