Michael's Story

“I have to get to Dallas.” Michael’s eyes snapped open as the alarm clock’s insistent beeping rolled him out of bed. It was four AM, not even light outside, but that didn’t matter. Star Transit was coming to take him downtown, and Michael refused to be late. Not this time.

The Substance Abuse Felony Program (SAFP) proved a tough but worthwhile opportunity for a man who was sick of letting addiction drive his bus. As Michael moved through the silent house, quietly getting dressed and trying to avoid waking the boys up, he remembered the moment that changed everything.

“When they put the handcuffs on me, I knew I was done.” With a wife and family to care for, Michael couldn’t stomach the thought of going back to prison. No—things had to change, whatever it took. He set his jaw and stared down the man in the mirror, ready for the day.

Reentry and Recovery with SAFP

Before his release, an officer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) asked Michael, “Where do you want to be in six months?”

“Not where I am right now,” Michael wryly responded. Sure, TDCJ was no picnic, but he really couldn’t stomach the thought of losing family and freedom to addiction. As he prepared for reentry, Michael set his mind on one thing: to win.

The first step to beating addiction was navigating the reentry side of recovery with the Substance Abuse Felony Program (SAFP). Thanks to a cooperative effort between the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Michael received the opportunity to participate in treatment and post-release continuum care. 

A parole panel reviewed Michael’s circumstances and found he was a suitable SAFP candidate. Drug and alcohol abuse had significantly contributed to his Class C misdemeanor of possession and assault. If he could make it through the SAFP program, Michael would meet the terms of his parole AND gain the skills to help him break free from addiction.

Transportation Trouble

After reentry, Michael faced a minefield between where he stood and the life he wanted. One misstep could shatter everything he worked so hard to achieve. The first obstacle was daily transportation to and from the mandatory SAFP meetings in Dallas. 

Coming out of TDCJ, Michael felt fortunate to have all his vital documents and a home to return to. However, that home was outside Dallas and too far to walk or ride a bike, especially with his bad back. With no car, the Star Transit bus line was the best option. Every morning, Michael stood on the curb to catch his ride at 5:15 AM, always early because he couldn’t afford to be late.

Michael was grateful for the bus, but he couldn’t stop wondering about other options. Life would be much easier with his own car. However, two obstacles stood in the way: no job and no driver’s license. Where could a man with a record go for work? It seemed like everyone required a background check, and Michael was nervous about his chances of passing. Plus, how would he get around to job interviews and the job itself? Need the job for the car, need the car for the job. He was stuck.

Finding The Way Back to Work

Michael heard about an organization called The Way Back that helped previously incarcerated people find jobs, so he stopped by the office to learn more. There he met Ms. Wilson and Ms. Cassie, and things started to look up. With their network and experience in helping people like him find good jobs, Michael was thrilled to land his first opportunity: a caregiver position. 

“Any work I did, it was my personality and character I brought to the job. I wanted to do my best,” Michael recalled. Caregiving was the starting point, but Michael knew it wasn’t all he was destined to do. Even as he worked that job, he and The Way Back team sought other opportunities to help him level up into a career that could ultimately support his family.

Out of the blue, Michael received a call about a position as a security guard. Things moved fast, with an interview, hire, and training on the same day! He faced mixed feelings: happy and thankful but anxious about being put on the spot. It left Michael in a somewhat awkward position with the home care company where he already worked. Would they be upset with him for leaving so suddenly?

Fortunately, they responded positively, thanking Michael for his good work and assuring him that he could always come back if the other job didn’t work out. With that in mind, Michael began to believe in his own potential and ability to build a career. He thought, “As long as you try, the doors keep opening up.”

Hit the Road, Mike

With the security job providing an income, it was time to tackle the next obstacle: getting a driver’s license. Michael’s wife found them a car, but Michael had no license to drive it to work. On top of that, he needed an eye exam and eyeglasses before he could even take the driver’s test. Without the resources to pay out of pocket for vision care, Michael was stuck again.

Thankfully, he learned that The Way Back could assist him with scheduling an appointment and getting the eyeglasses. Sure enough, the organization worked out the details, and Michael got the glasses he needed. Filled with hope and confidence, Michael went in for his driver’s test.

He failed.

He couldn’t believe it! After all the progress, all the help he had received to get this far, how could he fail now? Ms. Cassie at The Way Back listened to Michael’s frustration and disappointment, then weighed in.

“You can get back out there and find your way. Don’t quit now.” And she went to work on Michael’s behalf, checking the DMV listings every day until she found another driver’s test opportunity in a town Michael could get to. 

On the day of the second driver’s test, Michael was determined to succeed. “I won’t say I can’t,” he told himself as he headed to the DMV. With Ms. Cassie’s understanding and confidence behind him, he showed up for his second chance.

“Sir, your brake light is out. You can’t take the driver’s test unless you get that fixed.”

Seriously? How had Michael not noticed the light? Panicked, he left the DMV to find a new brake light. How could he replace the light and make it back in time for the test? Stress upon stress. “I won’t say I can’t,” Michael repeated to himself. “I won’t say I can’t.”

At the Auto Zone, Michael rushed through the doors and found the brake light, but how could he put it in? He had no tools with him to work on a car. Noticing his urgency and asking about the situation, an Auto Zone employee kindly offered to come outside and replace the light. 

Michael made it back to the DMV just in time to take (and pass) his second driver’s test. With a spotless new driver’s license in hand, he felt ready to tackle anything. His perseverance and the kindness he received had paid off.

Landing the Landfill Job

Still on the lookout for ways to level up, Michael stayed in close contact with Ms. Cassie and The Way Back for employment opportunities. One day, he was overjoyed to land a well-paying job with benefits at the local landfill. Again, Michael was nervous about telling his security job employer that he was leaving, but again, he received congratulations and the assurance, “We’ll always have a spot open for you if you want to come back.”

Michael needed steel-toed work boots and a jumper for his new role. The Way Back provided those resources to equip Michael for safety and success. All geared up, he was ready to go.

The landfill job was so close to Michael’s house that he could walk, cutting down on transportation costs. When their first car eventually broke down, Michael was able to save enough money to buy his wife a new car. Today, Michael is able to support his family on his income. 

Rebuilding Relationships and Trust

Years of addiction had eroded family relationships in Michael’s household, and trust took time to rebuild. Even though he graduated from the SAFP program and worked hard to prove that addiction wasn’t his master anymore, Michael had to take recovery one day at a time, just like everyone else.

One day, after a particularly painful household issue, Michael stepped outside to catch his breath and calm down. How could he repair these relationships and make life better for his family? At the moment, it felt impossible.

Just then, the phone rang with an unexpected call, interrupting his sad train of thought. It was Michael’s case manager from The Way Back, just calling to check in. “How are you, Michael?”

“I’m not doing too good, Ms. Cassie.” Michael poured out his discouragement, explaining the day’s events as Ms. Cassie compassionately listened. When he finally ran out of breath, Michael received words of encouragement from his helper as she told him that God was watching over him, helping him deal with the difficult situation. 

“She didn’t have to call me to see how I was doing.” I could hear the smile in Michael’s voice as he remembered. “But that was a reminder not to let myself down. It was a big experience for me to know there would be someone to help. And I appreciate with my actions.”

Strengthened by the phone call and the ongoing support of Ms. Cassie, Michael kept moving forward. He avoided areas, people, and possibilities that used to get him into trouble. Instead, he focused on going forward with his responsibilities at work and home. 

His goals? “Becoming a man. Be content. Whatever you have, love it. Do it. Keep doing it if it’s right. Don’t be afraid of change. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Do the work I have to do.”

The Daily Fight for Freedom

Where is Michael today? You will likely find him at work or at home, taking care of his wife and stepsons. When I last spoke with Michael, his voice rang with purpose and determination to do what’s right, no matter how difficult.

“I still talk to them [at The Way Back]. I’m still moving forward. I don’t go get a drink anymore. I won’t go back. I know I’m gonna be successful. It’s all in God’s plan.”

What about family? 

“My wife and I, this built trust in her, but I still see the fear that it might happen again. But I prove it by my actions. I keep my word. If I say I’m coming home, I come home. And the fear is leaving. It’s my job to take care of her, and I welcome it.

My stepsons, they’re not the ones with the problem–it’s me. I continue attending conventions and meetings to work on myself with my sponsor. You can teach an old dog new tricks, changing how you react. But you have to fight on a daily basis. You have to be ready for the pressure and deal with it in the right way.”

What does the future hold for Michael?

“Blessings after blessings because I refuse to give up. The doors shut on me in the past, they don’t matter. I’m here today. Whatever I can do, I'm gonna do my best because I’m determined to win.”