Nashville Dismas House

Philanthropic Fundraising ServicesTennessee, United States0-1 Employees

Dismas, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit transitional housing program that serves men and women released from incarceration. In 1974, the late Father “Jack” Hickey, along with The Vanderbilt Prison Project, recognized the vulnerability of and lack of services available to those released from incarceration. Dismas was then founded on the idea that through the development of a supportive community, former offenders learn a new, positive “self” and role in society; further, in having an integral role as part of the supportive community, society learns to discard negative labels and accept the individual as a person. The Dismas program takes its name from the repentant thief at Calvary (Luke 23:39-43), in the spirit of welcoming forgiveness. It is within this spirit that we develop a “family” of volunteers, partners, and staff to welcome former offenders back into society; hence the slogan, “Dismas is Family”. This slogan personifies a value system that recognizes those we serve and our supportive community as one unit working together to build stronger, healthier individuals and neighborhoods. As is with other re-entry programs, our ultimate goal is for those we serve to remain free from incarceration; it is our approach that makes the Dismas programming model unique. Whether they are at our Nashville or South Bend location, from the moment they walk through the front door for the first time until the day they leave and thereafter, Dismas is “home” to those we serve. Often, residents are quick to express their gratitude for being welcomed into such an environment – many eventually reveal that Dismas is the first caring family they have ever had. Our family atmosphere and holistic approach helps those we serve build confidence in themselves and their ability to succeed. As one graduate put it, "You go from everybody working against you to having a whole group of people, that you’ve never even met before, that are all bonded together to work for you."

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