Jacob’s Story: A Life He Never Thought Possible

February 13, 2025

A New Beginning: A Life He Never Thought Possible

Jacob’s journey has been one of tenacity and dedication, and now he’s found his calling in helping others overcome the challenges he never thought he could surmount. Coming from the small town of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Jacob acknowledges that his decisions early on in his life, despite his foreknowledge at the time, would shape his life for years to come.

“I got caught with drugs at age 12, and it became a viscous loop,” Jacob recounts.

“As soon as I would get out, I would get locked right back up and it was repetitive until I was 21 and caught my last case. I wanted something different, but every time I would be released, I would be released right back into the same scenario and the same situations.”

Jacob recalls the struggle of feeling caught in a cycle of wanting to live a different lifestyle but turning back to the same patterns time and time again. In his previous reentry experiences, he admits to not knowing how crucially he needed support. Like so many others in his position, he would turn back to his prior communities and lifestyles because he felt he had no other options.

During his most recent sentence, Jacob decided to fully commit to sobriety – a decision that would change the course of his life. “I was in a drug rehabilitation program for 9 months when I was in prison. One of my counselors suggested I look into becoming a CPRS [Certified Peer Recovery Specialist] because of my background and I took it, and I ran with it, and it’s been exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

When Jacob came to Dismas House, he gratefully acknowledges that he found the support he had been looking for since he was young. He quickly got involved in the programs and the groups that Dismas House offers and began to find his footing. His case manager Emmeline recounts that “He hit the ground running, and was very much a sponge, absorbing everything that Dismas had to offer because it was so different to how he had done reentry before. He was very open to doing things differently.”

Jacob spoke to the importance of the holistic programming that Dismas House offers, saying “The groups were automatically so helpful because they made sure we got the skills that we needed and the physical items that we needed. I’ve never done any of this – I’ve always lived on the streets, and it was such a different lifestyle. Dismas House has been behind me 110%. They’ve helped me navigate normal life – they showed me how to manage my finances and regular life things that I would’ve never thought possible. I would’ve never dreamed or thought possible the things I’ve achieved in the last six months.”

The first 30 days of programming at Dismas House are designed to support returning citizens as they need time to focus on healing the effects of incarceration. We provide programs and services that help individuals build trusting relationships and meaningful connections within the community, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Jacob recalls how grateful he was for that time, saying “I was thankful that the people at Dismas House cared enough about us to not force us straight into work. They had several classes to keep us busy and I learned from them all and appreciated that they cared about us being mentally prepared to go back to work.”

Jacob recently began a new role as a CPRS at the 21^st District Recovery Court in Franklin, a position that he’s hopeful could lead to a long-term career. He admits to being nervous to start the new role saying, “I was nerve-wracked, but everyone at Dismas was like ‘go for it man – if it’s there, it’s there for a reason. Don’t take no for an answer when no wasn’t even given. Take your wings and fly.”

As Jacob recounts all that he has been through in the last six months, he revels in all that he has accomplished during his time at Dismas House. “I’ve been three years clean, and I’ve always wanted to try to find a way to give back. I never got the opportunity of a rehab or anything like that. From the time I was 12, I’ve had nothing but drug cases, and I was never given that option.”

Jacob holds hope and excitement for his future as he enters his new role and is continuously grateful for the opportunity to help those on the other side of where he began. He views his past as something to be grateful for, as it allows him perspective and insight as he begins his career – and life – helping others. “I want to be known for someone who is motivated, and I want to help somebody get the opportunities that I didn’t and learn that they deserve it. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”