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The goal of the Bridges To Life program is that, rather than returning to a life of crime after incarceration, our graduates will create healthy and productive lives. After 6 years in prison, BTL graduate Jason S. rebuilt his life, repaired his relationships, runs a successful business, and now gives back to BTL as both a donor and volunteer! BTL COO Jim Buffington recently sat down with Jason to talk about his journey:
How did taking the Bridges To Life program change your life?
The program changed how I view my decision making. It was learning about the ripple effect that stuck with the me the most. My actions affect my kids' futures, my friends, my family -- everyone's direction can be changed based on one small thing any of us do.
BTL also put the sense of God back in my life. God gave me a voice I didn't have before. Now I can try to keep others from going down the same path of self-destruction I did. I can teach others from what I've gone through.
You're not just a BTL graduate and volunteer, you're also a donor. Why is it important for you to support BTL?
Because I know it goes to the people that actually need help. BTL volunteers go into prison and talk with inmates to help them become better human beings, so they'll change what they do when they get out. If I can donate money to facilitate that process, I'll do it.
Your recent donation of $10,000 is the most ever given to us by a BTL graduate. What was your thinking behind such a large gift?
If my money helps, say, 100 inmates take BTL, I'm probably helping 10,000 other people, too. Because those graduates will become accountable, take ownership for their actions, reconnect with loved ones -- that's the ripple effect. And that gives me the greatest joy of anything in my life besides my family, knowing that I've done something that will help someone else, that will change their trajectory to a better path.
Thank you to Jason and all of our BTL graduates for doing the work that fulfills the mission of Bridges To Life!
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