MonoMonday - Change

This is the former Calumet House, once a gentleman's club for the elite. It has now changed into a Halfway House/Transitional Living home for male prisoners who are within six months of release from the state prison system. It's a really wonderful way to reintroduce the inmates to living in the community before being released. They are able and encouraged to get jobs, they pay rent (minimal) and earn "outings" based on the hours worked. The money earned is turned over to the house and after rent is taken out, the inmates can request a small amount to have as "spending money" and the rest is saved in an account so that they have something accumulated when they leave. They are monitored for substance abuse and there is counseling available or if they are lucky enough to have insurance, they can see their own providers.

In my opinion it is a valuable experience for the men who are lucky enough to serve out the end of their terms here, reacclimating to living in the real world. I am currently involved with a young man who has lived here for 5 weeks. He was a friend of Sumner's and he is flourishing. He is working, saving and doing very well for the first time in a long time. He has maintained his sobriety for the past year and sees what life can be like when his focus is not on using drugs. He has goals and hope for a future and that is good thing to see.