Meet Scott “Boston” Ross — Finding Hope, Value, a New Nickname and a New Beginning

November 13, 2025

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When Scott Ross arrived at Dismas House on July 2, he was ready to start over. After years of uncertainty and self-doubt, he came through the doors determined to rebuild his life—but unsure if he could truly believe in himself again. What he found at Dismas House changed everything.

“The programming and compassion here are mind-blowing,” Scott says. “When I first got here, I didn’t have much confidence. But having the support of the Dismas House team behind me made all the difference.”

From the moment he stepped into his new home, Scott was surrounded by people who saw his potential. His case manager, Audra, provided steady encouragement and guidance, helping him navigate everything from employment to emotional healing. “The compassion and caring from Audra are beyond reproach,” Scott says. “She believed in me before I believed in myself.”

Scott found strength in Dismas House’s holistic programming—especially morning meditation, a simple practice that quickly became one of his favorite parts of the day.

“That five-minute meditation has become important to me,” he shares. “If I can’t make it in person, I use a meditation app like Calm, but it sets the tone for my whole day. It helps me stay grounded.”

In his recovery journey, Scott credits Tony, our Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, for helping him think differently about addiction and self-awareness.

“Tony’s real—he’s not just reading from a book,” Scott says. “He gets you to engage and talk. I’ve been able to ask him difficult questions, and if he can’t answer them in class, he’ll meet with me afterwards. He’s on point.”

Kim, our Clinical Director helped Scott open up about some of the hardest chapters of his life.

“Kim made it easy to talk about painful things—from childhood trauma to my time in prison. She listens with compassion,” he says. “When I was offered additional counseling through Centerstone, I chose to give that hour to someone else because I know how much her compassion can help another resident.”

Despite the personal challenges he’s faced, Scott’s confidence has grown “through the roof.” In just a few short months, he’s found stability, connection, and purpose—and a new nickname at work. Guests have picked up on his New England accent and have begun to call him, “Boston Ross.”

One highlight for Scott this year was participating in a resident event called “Chopped” a fun and friendly cooking competition modeled after the popular TV show held this fall at Dismas House. His team didn’t just take part—they won!

“Chopped was exciting and fun, but more than that, it helped us build social skills and unity,” he says.

“We talked about it for weeks afterwards and I’m now even friends with members of the opposing team.”

Even outside of Dismas House, Scott has continued to thrive. Thanks to our Campus Engagement Coordinator, Jordan, and our community partnerships Scott was able to secure a job in his occupation of choice: the hospitality and restaurant industry, where his strong work ethic quickly caught the attention of his supervisors.

“My boss is over the moon,” Scott says with a smile. “I’ve been promoted and I’m working closely with management to bring our location up to company standards—and beyond.”

In fact, his team has been so impressed with Scott that they’re exploring ways to partner with Dismas House, by sponsoring a community meal in the future.

Scott plans to stay at Dismas House even after his parole ends this December. For him, it’s not just a place to live—it’s a place to grow.

“This is a safe, affordable, sober living community,” he says. “I don’t want to compromise that. I still have the same support systems here that helped me get this far.”

Today, Scott wakes up each morning with something he hasn’t felt in years—joy.

“I wake up on a daily basis, look around, and I actually start to get happy,” he says quietly. “I never thought that would happen. Before, I didn’t think my life would be anything but miserable and alone. Dismas House has given me hope. If anything is conveyed, it’s that I now have hope—and value in myself. It’s a phenomenal feeling.”

For a man who once thought hope was out of reach, Scott now embodies the transformation that happens when opportunity meets compassion. His journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to build bridges of change.