Success Stories
James’ Story
Second Chances Spring Social 1
Second Chances Spring Social 2
Leon’s Story
Phil’s Testimonial
Gerald’s Story
Sherman’s Story
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Christina Warner.
Ms. Christina Warner arrived at Damascus House in January 2022 after serving 10 years of incarceration, determined to start fresh. She was committed to leaving her past behind—only glancing back to appreciate how far she had come.
During her time in the RISTORe program, Ms. Warner took full advantage of the opportunities available to her, equipping herself with the necessary tools to navigate a new beginning. She made the bold decision to enter a male-dominated field—automotive repair—and pursued her training through Vehicles for Change, where she graduated with seven ASE certifications.
With focus and determination, Ms. Warner diligently saved her earnings, allowing her to purchase a car and successfully transition into independent living in May 2023.
Her dedication has continued to pay off—Ms. Warner is now an Assistant Manager at a nationwide automotive company and is currently training to step into upper management.
Her story is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the power of second chances.
Photo: Christina Warner
Interviewed by: Katina Burks-Pierce, February 2025
Sharon Ward.
Ms. Sharon Ward arrived at Damascus House in May 2022 after serving 10 years of incarceration. During her time in our program, she actively engaged in individual and group psychotherapy and completed other programming tailored to her needs. One of her most meaningful milestones was reuniting with her family, who welcomed her back with open arms and continued to be a constant support in her life.
Ms. Ward has a deep love for animals. While in the workforce development phase of her programming, she pursued dog grooming classes and earned her certification. Her dedication led to securing her dream job working with animals, where she is currently employed and training for a promotion.
During her employment, Ms. Ward encountered a rescue dog that she decided to take home. She lovingly refers to her boxer-pit bull mix, Cosmo, as her son, sharing the sentiment:
"We rescued each other."
One of her biggest accomplishments while in the program was opening her first checking and savings account, something she had never done before. By the time she transitioned to independent living, she had built a considerable amount of savings.
In 2024, Ms. Ward moved into her first apartment on her own. As she gave me a tour, she sat at the dining room table, smiling with gratitude, and shared:
"It felt good to have the money and to be able to qualify for my apartment on my own—the legal way."
Photo: Ms. Sharon Ward and Cosmo
Interviewed by: Katina Burks-Pierce, February 2025 .
Patrick Drayton.
Mr. Patrick Drayton entered the Damascus House RISTORe Program after being granted parole. He had served 30 years of incarceration under a life plus 70 years sentence. 0, this was Mr. Drayton’s first-ever arrest and conviction. Regrettably, this was Mr. Drayton’s first-ever arrest and conviction.
Mr. Drayton remained in our transitional housing program for 20 months, beginning at our main house and later progressing to our step-up house, before successfully transitioning to independent living.
His return to the community was both powerful and bittersweet. One of his mother’s final prayers was to see her son free again. That prayer was answered—less than 24 hours after his release, she made the four-hour drive at age 86 to embrace her son. She passed away one year later, but not before witnessing his return.
Mr. Drayton considers himself blessed. Blessed to have spent time with his mother, to reunite with his son, to be present for the birth of his first grandchild, to experience the support of Damascus House and its dedicated staff, and to share his story with youth at the juvenile detention center.
Today, Mr. Drayton lives independently in his own apartment, is employed with Metro Access, has purchased his dream truck, and obtained his passport. He continues to inspire others by sharing this message:
"Do not let the mistakes you make define who you are. Use your support system and allow their lived experience and wisdom to change the trajectory of your life."
Mr. Drayton’s journey is a testament to redemption, resilience, and the power of community support.
Photo: Patrick Drayton
Interviewed by: Katina Burks-Pierce, August 2025