Resident Stories

OTIS FRAZIER

“I thought, “If I want to improve my life, I better start acting like Jesus.”

Sentenced to life in prison, Otis Frazier praises God every day that he was released after 22 years. He has seen it all and been through it all, but that doesn’t detract from the selflessness he gives to FreshStart Visions where he serves as transportation coordinator, and drives the other residents to their places of employment as well as medical and other appointments.
Regarded as a gentle and kind soul, Otis is greatly loved by everyone – residents, volunteers and staff alike – at FreshStart Visions. His immediate family are deceased, so Otis views the people at FreshStart as his family. A survivor of cancer, his dream is to stay and grow with FreshStart for as long as he lives.

Give Today and Help a Man Build His Tomorrow

Upon release from prison, ex-offenders like Otis have nothing but the clothes on their backs and a bus ticket. FreshStart Visions makes sure all of their basic needs are met so that every man is ready to enter the workforce as soon as possible.

Won’t you help today? Your contributions of dollars and volunteer time can help ex-offenders return to society and become productive, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. Just click our Get Involved or Donate tab to make a difference.  

KELVIN GREEN

“Kelvin’s enthusiasm and joy for life puts a smile on everybody’s face.”

Kelvin was convicted of armed robbery and served a 10-year sentence in prison. He was accepted into the FreshStart Vision program on the day of his release and within three weeks was already showing consistent organizational skills and constant respect for others.

Kelvin is currently working for a landscaping company with the goal of developing his own business.

He also hopes to begin speaking at schools and juvenile detention centers telling his story with the hope of influencing youth in a positive direction and away from poor choices.

Give Today and Help a Man Build His Tomorrow

Upon release from prison, ex-offenders like Kelvin have nothing but the clothes on their backs and a bus ticket. FreshStart Visions makes sure all of their basic needs are met so that every man is ready to enter the workforce as soon as possible.

Won’t you help today?  Your contributions of dollars and volunteer time are empowering FreshStart’s residents to look beyond the challenges of transitioning from prison into communities and become productive, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. Click our Get Involved or Donate tab and make a difference.

 

BRIAN HOWARD

“Having a strong moral compass is the basis for a life worth living.”

At age 17 Brian was convicted of murder in a gang related incident and incarcerated for life. Eventually, he turned his life around in prison and was chosen to lead a character movement with a few other hand-picked men who had strong leadership qualities at Allendale Correctional Institution.  In this project, Brian was able to positively impact many men in the development of leadership qualities into their daily lives both within and outside of prison.  Brian was paroled after serving time for 28 years and reconnected with the love of his life whom he married in October of 2017.  He is working full-time in a position that requires high levels of accountability, responsibility and trustworthiness.  Brian – known to his friends as B-Rock – has become a dynamic mentor for newly released men by using the example of his own reentry journey of the past 4 years to inspire and motivate others.  His presence is a constant and stable influence on the men who reside in FreshStart’s housing program and he is always willing to share the story of our mission and ministry with audiences large and small.   

You can stand with Brian and  reach out to men who are building new lives as he did by clicking the Get Involved or Donate tabs.