These are just a small sample of the stories of citizens that have been helped by Sustainable Alamance.   There are hundreds if not thousands of them on the streets of our community, and I am sure communities just like ours all across the country.

Tommy is a truly transformed man. Despite hardships- including three decades that of alcohol and drug use and various stints in jail- he has grown into a dependable man, friend, and most importantly, father. After serving time in prison, Purcell came to Sustainable Alamance seeking change; and although he could not erase his past, Purcell acknowledged that his future had yet to be written and that change would stand as the fundamental theme. Since coming to Sustainable Alamance, Purcell, a master carpenter, is working regularly and has matured to become an essential aspect in the lives of his two daughters. He gave his oldest daughter away at her wedding and has become a loving and reliable sounding board for his youngest daughter now in college. Tommy has since confidently accepted his role as mentor and father to his two children and continues to pledge his love for them day after day.   

Mike was abandoned by his mother as a newborn.  He was "raised" by the foster care system, even abusive situations at times.  As a teen he joined a gang and was sent to prison for 10 years at age 18.    When he started coming to Sustainable Alamance, he was an angry and bitter young man..... but he stuck with us and we stuck with him.  He is working a full time job; his attitude on the job has earned the investment of his employer to teach him welding, his first major job skill.  He struggles at times with pressure of life, but he knows we are always there for him..... and he is still with us.

Joseph is a man that has been given new life literally.  Joseph was standing on a table with a chain around his neck about to jump off when he remembered someone telling him about a group that is willing to stand by men and women to help them out of there most desperate situations.  Joseph untied himself and came to his first Sustainable Alamance meeting, found a group that truly cared about him and believed in him.  Joseph is now married, working full time and is taking a leadership role in Sustainable Alamance.

Maltese was a "federal level" cocaine dealer in the community with an income of about $300,000 per year.  He realized that this was not going to be an ongoing enterprise when he began to notice the "same pair of sunglasses" in his rear view mirror every day.  He was given a chance for reform through the US Dept. of Justice Safe Neighborhoods program and he came to us.  After a series of temporary jobs, he is now enrolled in culinary school at the local community college, scheduled to graduate in 2012.

Derrick is a young man that had lost all hope. His past decisions had landed him in prison…… he understands why. Now no one will talk to him about work, he has two daughters that he rarely gets to see, he was just diagnosed with glaucoma and was told of the potential for going blind, and he could only come to describe himself as worthless. WORTHLESS ... can you imagine? Worthless…. Really?   Derrick came to us and we have helped him with his eye treatment, glasses and he is has proven his willingness to be a hard worker on many day labor jobs and is a key volunteer for small jobs in the community.