As a Joseph House alum and now the Community Educator, I like to remind people that Joseph House is not a halfway house. It’s a serene home that was created through love, care, and awareness of how we are all interconnected.
The foundation that Joseph House is built upon is to help the needs of the formerly incarcerated with the things that are essential to their transitioning while keeping their best interest in mind. The intimate small group of men makes it a comfortable setting for the men to see and hear each other. This is important. Years of trauma doesn’t just go away because you’re out of prison. The more men, the more chances for arguments, disagreements, and conflict in many houses. So often these houses are usually located in the worst part of any city, which is too much temptation, too soon.
Joseph House is located in a relatively quiet and safe neighborhood: where you can walk to the gym, or ride a bike to the store without worrying. Even though I have my own place, I still come back to Joseph House. It’s still home because it’s where my people live!
— By Pre Shelton, Community Educator at Joseph House.
