Unabashed

Found this great article at David Feige's blog. Over the years I've tried to help many felons get past that "ever been convicted of a crime?" question on job applications, and seen how hard it is for them to find jobs, even with non-violent convictions. Yesterday a client whom I'd written off as hopelessly addicted to meth stopped by to thank me for talking to her "like a person." She came by just because the last time I saw her, I told her that if she came by I could help her get clean. When she called and said she'd be right there, I scrambled for things to tell her. I ended up giving her directions to narcotics anonymous office, the address for a guy I know who runs an inpatient treatment program that accepts "her insurance" (None), and a couple dollars in gas money. I was amazed that she showed up and amazed at treating somebody with just a little dignity will do.