Blog Post: Rob's Story

I wanted to bring you a story from one of our peer members. The Community Reintegration Coalition has an active peer group. They are comprised of ex-offenders who are helping other ex-offenders to gain a better life. His story may not be typical but he does illustrate that if an ex-offender is motivated he or she can go anywhere. It takes time and a lot of work but it is that way for all of us. For more information please go to www.azcrc.com

Steve Temple

President

Hi, my name is Rob and I’m an ex-offender.  I used drugs and alcohol for 22 years and committed many crimes against persons and property associated with that life style which resulted in 2 felonies. I began a steady transformation in 1994 that continues to this day. That transformation began at a Rescue Mission and 12-step meetings where I first began allow others to help me, began helping others and heard of other people’s lives being transformed. I heard how people were able to go back to school and I thought it might be possible for me too, even though I only had a 9 th grade education and a GED.

I started attending Community College in 1995 where I eventually received an AA degree which I paid for by myself with money I made working from an employer that gave me a chance. I next went on to Northern Arizona University where I received a BA degree with the help of financial Aid as University is much more expensive then Community College. They say lost dreams can awaken and new ones can form and so they did for me. I hoped to continue my education and get a MA in History degree and an M.Ed in Counseling Psychology and work part time as a Community College History Professor and a Substance Abuse counselor but it was not meant to be as I was rejected from the history program even though I had a 4.0 GPA. I cries and it seemed unfair but part of my dream was still attainable as I was accepted into the M.Ed program and received my M.Ed in 2001.

In 200I began to work in the field of behavioral health in earnest and it soon became apparent that I would need more then education to advance. I petitioned to have my civil rights restored and was successful and applied for a fingerprint clearance card for which I was denied.  I was crushed once more and thought my dream might be over but filled out the good cause exception form and mailed it in. I had a hearing before an administrative court and was granted a good cause exception and received my fingerprint clearance card. Next, came certification as a behavioral health professional and eventual licensure. I passed the test but when I started filling out the application there seemed to be a lot of questions about my criminal history and I started to get that pit in my stomach again and began to dread the outcome. To my surprise I was granted certification and licensure and have worked as a behavioral health professional ever since. I have had multiple management positions and have found people willing to take a chance on me over and over again. I am 9 credits short of my 2 nd Masters degree and am considering a Doctoral program.

Today I still face challenges and barriers such as when I moved to the Phoenix area 5 years ago I had so much difficulty finding housing due to being a felon that I had to use an apartment finder service to find housing for me. I found it disheartening after no convictions since 1991 that I was still felt by many landlords to be an un-necessary risk. I still have to explain my criminal background to new employers and agencies but have found time and time again that there are people willing to take a chance on me. Today I own my own home, have credit score of 800, am a productive member of society but unfortunately to some I’m still just a felon and am not worth the risk, fortunately I think the majority of folks look deeper then labels and see more to me.

I hope that one day the State of Arizona, all the United States of America and all world nations will see that people can change, recovery is possible and as there is a statute of limitations for prosecution, there should also be a statute of limitations for persecution as evidenced by fair housing and employment opportunities in all sectors. Let full citizenship be once again possible for those who have made mistakes but are transforming their lives. May the lie that once a felon always a felon fade from human consciousness!

Rob