Michael remembers the day his sentence was handed down. He was just sixteen years old. A teenager who longed to fit in, who wanted nothing more than to be accepted, found himself facing a lifetime behind bars.
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I was just looking for acceptance,” he says. But choices made in youth are unforgiving in the justice system. The judge’s words sealed his fate: life in prison without parole.
The years that followed were heavy. “While in prison, I gave my life to God,” Michael shares. “I remember telling Him I was okay with being there until I was 99 years old. If that was His plan, I’d accept it.”
Prison became the crucible where Michael’s faith took root. He grew older behind walls, watched the world change from a distance, and settled into the reality that he might never step outside again.
A Door Opens
But in 2018, after serving 28 years, a miracle happened: Michael was released.
Walking out of the gates was both exhilarating and terrifying. Freedom felt foreign. Simple tasks—deciding what to eat, how to use a cellphone, or even navigating a grocery store—felt overwhelming.
“I was free,” he recalls, “but I didn’t know how to live free.”
That’s when Michael was introduced to 70×7 Life Recovery.
“They helped me mature and grow,” Michael says. “They have a heart for people, and they want to see you succeed. 70×7 showed me the acceptance I had always longed for in life.”
Finding Support in Every Direction
Michael’s journey of restoration is best told not just through his own words, but through the voices of those who walk alongside him:
- His Parole Agent: “I’ve been so surprised by Michael’s success. It is because of the support he has with 70×7. I’ve seen men stumble under the weight of reentry, but Michael has steadied himself with faith and community.”
- His Pastor: “With 70×7 and our church, Michael was not only accepted, but welcomed. He is always here, faithful and present, and he knows that his faith family will help him weather every storm.”
- His Supervisor at KAM Plastics: “Michael is awesome. He works in a position that historically brings out short-temperedness, but he never shows signs of irritation. His patience and steadiness raise the bar for the whole team.”
- His Mentor, Carl: “God is paving a road of opportunity for this guy. I challenge him to evaluate—in any situation—is it of God? He’s learning to see the bigger picture, to walk with wisdom.”
And perhaps the most powerful perspective comes from Michael himself: “Carl is my mentor, teacher, friend, and father figure. He pushes me, but he also stands with me. Having someone like him in my corner is something I never dreamed of when I was 16 years old.”
Building a Future
Michael’s dreams today are simple, but profound. “I pray I can take care of my family, have a family of my own, and serve God,” he says. “Thanks to 70×7, I’ve adapted my life for success.”
No longer defined by a sentence handed down decades ago, Michael now defines his life by faith, perseverance, and hope. His story is living proof that restoration is possible—that no one is beyond redemption when surrounded by community and grace.
