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Another OOR Success Story by Kerry Vance,Site Manager OOR Greensburg/Cresson OOR graduate Thayne Nader completed the program on the Greensburg CReW in September 2001, when he was released from SCI Greensburg to the Johnstown Community Corrections Center. In August 2002, Thayne paroled from the center to his own apartment in Altoona to continue the process of re-establishing himself in society. While his transition has not always been smooth, Thayne has managed to remain on task and focus on his overall goal. Placement at the center in Johnstown provided Thayne the chance to renew family ties and old friendships that had been placed on hold for several years. It also gave him another important opportunity: to concentrate on securing employment. Shortly after arriving at the center, Thayne got his first job at Johnstown Welding Industries While working full time at JWI, he got his CDL (Commercial Drivers License) through the Johnstown Vo-Tech School, which he then used to volunteer in the local community. Thayne has moved into a well-paying career as a mason. He works for Tom Fahr Masonry, Inc., based in Altoona and operated by Tom Fahr, Steve Beauchamp and Bob DeYarmind. We spoke to Thayne recently about his impressions of OOR as a participant at the Greensburg division with instructor Dave Zik and instructor aide Dave McIlnay. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "When I was on the crew, there were some guys that I didn’t care for, but I learned that I could work with them on the projects and not have to like them." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Q: In what ways did you find the OOR program beneficial to you? A: OOR provided several big benefits for me. For one thing, it helps you build the initiative to do something positive in a negative environment. It prepared you to get work oriented for when you get out. I learned trade skills that helped me get where I am today. It was also good for learning and developing teamwork skills. When I was on the crew, there were some guys that I didn’t care for, but I learned that I could work with them on the projects and not have to like them. It was a great self esteem builder.Q: What advice would you give those you left behind? A: This program was the only positive thing that I experienced in prison. The staff at OOR was not judgmental and treated you like a normal person. This program allows you to get out of prison and get involved in the community. If some- one is really interested in learning work skills and a trade, then they have the opportunity to do it through OOR. I am glad that I took advantage of it. Q: What was your favorite project? A: The Monessen project where we fixed up that house. There was a little bit of everything to do on that house and I learned a lot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We wish Thayne continued success with his endeavors in life. Like other program participants, Thayne has applied the effort to minimize his shortcomings and to maximize his personal strengths to achieve success. |
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At right is Nader’s favorite project. The house was completely renovated, inside and out, then sold to a single mother of two. |
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| NEW CReWS GO TO WORK | OOR Success Story | Project Pictures | Wheeler Grant | |
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