1. Hello. My name’s Evangelia (Evi) Georgoudi and I am from Greece. I have
come here as a Volunteer For Peace. I have been living at the Dismas House for a
week now and I will be staying 6 months. I attended a University in California from
2001 until 2006, and I have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. I have
taken part in programs abroad before but this is the first time I am taking part in a
program such as the Dismas House.What drove me to come to Dismas was its unique
mission and environment. Its goal to help people who were previously incarcerated to
reconcile with society and become able to be independent and start a solid life again
outside of prison seemed like such a wonderful learning experience.
I am living in the house with the rest of the residents whose ages vary from 26
to 56 and the same rules that apply to them apply to me as well. I am also working
with the house directors Valerie and Terese, both in the office and out in the
community such as visiting the prisons in order to interview prospective residents.So
far it has been a very interesting and different experience for me because, as you can
imagine, it is not like the everyday environment I have lived in before. In most
aspects it is like living with10 housemates, only in this case these housemates have
served time in prison and have had for the most part, very different experiences from
me. Getting to know them and interact with them becomes very interesting and
educational.The residents have been very kind and helpful to me, and have welcomed
me into their circle. It is somewhat difficult to see them at times struggle to start over
or continue with their lives and prove to themselves and to society that they have
really changed and that they want to succeed. I admire them for their courage and
their willpower.
Everyone I have met so far, the Executive Director, Rita McCaffrey, the house
directors Valerie Page and Terese Black, and Jay Merluzzi, the Thresholds program
director, plus all the volunteers who offer their help and work at Dismas continuously,
are all really friendly and helpful. I can honestly say that all the people involved with
the Dismas House are doing a remarkable job making sure the house is running
successfully. They are offering a tremendous amount of support and encouragement
to the residents, wanting them to succeed. I really think that Dismas is helping the
residents succeed with their goals, and it makes one feel very proud to see them move
on successfully.Apart from that, Vermont is a beautiful state and I am enjoying
everything Rutland and the state has to offer to me; from its friendly people to its
beautiful scenery, and everything in between. So far, this has been a remarkable
encounter for me and I have been enjoying my time at Dismas. I am really looking
forward to experiencing the rest of my stay here!