Angel's Story

After completing his 21-year sentence, Angel was committed to doing the hard work necessary to create a life for himself on the outside.  However, even with assistance from several different post-release programs, he was unable to find a job as employers were repeatedly intimidated by his violent past.  After completing the Exodus orientation, we secured several interviews for Angel resulting in a full-time position at an AIDS service center.   Less than five months later, he was promoted to harm reduction case manager.   Without Exodus, Angel says that he would probably still be looking for work.  He also credits our violence group with helping him recognize his triggers and understand that he can walk away from any situation.  While he still feels a need to make amends for the decisions of his youth, he no longer feels that his future is bound by them.