William Muse was locked up 21 years and 6 months. Imagine what it must be like to walk out of prison after so much time has passed. The world is a much different place. Fortunately for William, now 51 years old, Journey to New Life was there to help him get reacquainted.
When William was released from prison, Journey to New Life helped him get clothes, hygiene products and gift cards for food, gas and other necessities. Plus, they helped him find housing stability and employment. It seemed William was well on his way to sustainable self-sufficiency.
Then, the pandemic hit.
William, like so many others, was laid off from his job. He was too proud and nervous to ask for help a second time around. So, instead, he started living in his car. At night, he would park at a local convenience store to sleep. The manager let him sleep there and gave him food in exchange for William helping keep the parking lot clean. For almost two months in the heat of the Kansas City summer, William lived in his car. That is until Susie Roling, Director of Operations at Journey to New Life, happened to discover him while making a quick stop at the convenience store. Even though he was nervous about seeking help a second time, William took her advice and met with Rita Flynn, Program Director at Journey to New Life.
Within hours, William was rehoused and had a brand new job starting the following Monday. “It’s been bad. It’s been hard to find employment. I was sad and had kind of given up. But they gave me hope,” he said. “They helped me a lot. No lie, I was thinking about killing myself. It was so bad out here, sleeping in my car., sweating and hot.”
William now uses his car for its intended purpose rather than as a shelter.
The organization helped me so much. They tell me to come or call anytime I’m feeling down. I feel a whole lot better. I wish I could do more for them.
— William Muse
William is not alone. Studies show that prisoners released into the community later in life are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and death by suicide or overdose. They almost never seek mental health or substance abuse treatment. For William, Roling was in the right place at the right time to intervene and get him back on track.
Now, William offers his time to help out at Journey to New Life every chance he can, and he has a new lease on life. “The organization helped me so much. They tell me to come or call anytime I’m feeling down. They gave me their personal numbers. I feel a whole lot better.” he said. “I wish I could do more for them,”
That’s not all. William is expecting twins, and he says he wants his children to know that he is a hard worker and that he takes care of their mom. Journey to New Life is helping him fulfill that legacy. He can’t wait to introduce his babies to Susie and Rita, and Journey to New Life is excited to welcome them.
Due to the pandemic, Journey to New Life had to cancel its annual fundraising event. But the need is still great. Please consider donating to help the organization continue to provide the vital community services that help individuals like William succeed on their journey.
