In Celebration of Second Chance Month: Honoring Commissioner Marie Williams as a 2026 Changemaker
April 16, 2026
On a sunny April afternoon, the campus of Dismas House welcomed community leaders, elected officials, staff, and supporters for a shared purpose. To recognize that people deserve not just a second chance, but a real opportunity for transformation.
Held during Second Chance Month, the Open House and Recognition Event served as both a reflection on Dismas House’s 52 year legacy and a celebration of those advancing its mission today. At the heart of the afternoon was a special recognition, with a surprise presentation of the 2026 Father Jack Hickey Changemaker Award to Commissioner Marie Williams.
Dismas House CEO Steven Murff welcomed attendees with a message grounded in gratitude and purpose. “Today is a celebration of all of you who make this work possible,” he shared, emphasizing the collective effort required to support individuals returning from incarceration. April, he noted, is a time to recognize redemption, transformation, and the power of a fresh start. These values are deeply embedded in the Dismas House mission.
Honoring a Legacy of Dignity and Transformation
The Father Jack Hickey Changemaker Award honors individuals who embody the spirit of Father Jack Hickey, whose life’s work was dedicated to restoring dignity and opportunity to formerly incarcerated individuals. For decades, Dismas House has carried forward that vision, providing not just housing but a supportive community where men can rebuild their lives.
This year’s honoree, Commissioner Marie Williams, stands as a powerful example of that legacy in action.
As introduced by Board Chair Taylor Fortune, Williams is the longest serving commissioner in the history of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. First appointed in 2016 by Bill Haslam and reappointed in 2019 by Bill Lee, she has led the department through a period of significant growth and impact.
Leading Systems That Change Lives
Under her leadership, the department now connects approximately 750,000 Tennesseans each year to critical mental health and substance use treatment services. With an annual budget of roughly 680 million dollars and a workforce of more than 1,850 professionals, Williams has guided efforts to address some of the state’s most pressing challenges, from the opioid crisis to the mental health needs of young people.
Her work goes beyond systems and statistics. Throughout her career, Commissioner Williams has remained deeply focused on the human side of recovery and reentry. She has championed criminal justice reform, expanded peer led services, and strengthened partnerships with faith based communities. These efforts are critical in helping individuals successfully transition back into society.
One of her most enduring contributions is her commitment to housing. Through the Creating Homes Initiative, Williams helped leverage more than 1.3 billion dollars to create over 36,000 housing opportunities across Tennessee. This work reflects a fundamental truth shared by Dismas House. Stable housing is not just a need. It is the foundation for lasting change.
A Story That Shows the Impact
The event also brought that impact to life in a deeply personal way. Dismas House resident Thaddeus Isabel took the stage to share his journey, offering a powerful reminder of why this work matters. His story, like so many others, illustrates the transformative power of community, support, and belief in second chances. This commitment by others to the whole-person care at Dismas House delivers measurable results, which is why Dismas House continues to have a recidivism rate of just 2.5%.
As the award was presented, the room filled with applause, not just for Commissioner Williams’ accomplishments but for the hope her work represents. In recognizing her as a changemaker, Dismas House honored a leader who has consistently worked to break cycles of incarceration and create pathways to opportunity.
Williams’ career has earned her numerous state and national accolades, yet her impact is perhaps best measured in the lives changed through her leadership. From expanding access to care to creating housing solutions and advancing reentry efforts, her work has helped build stronger, more inclusive communities across Tennessee.
Continuing the Work Together
As the program concluded, guests were invited to tour the campus, connect with staff, and continue the conversation. It was a fitting close to an afternoon centered on connection, reflection, and forward momentum.
At Dismas House, the work continues every day. In the past year alone, the organization has supported 148 men as they rebuild their lives, secure employment, and return to their communities with stability and purpose.
Transformation is possible when people are given the support and opportunity they deserve. And through leaders like Commissioner Marie Williams, that work continues to grow.
Because this mission has always been about more than a second chance. It is about what comes next.
