January 1998

Dear Special Friend:

Three and one-half months ago Eric Cherry entered Damascus Way carrying all his worldly possessions in a bag. Eric has a four-year degree in business administration and accounting. He has worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, taught school, was director of recreation for a community school, managed stores, nightclubs and fast food restaurants. However, through a series of events several years ago he ended up on the wrong side of the corrections system. This last fall he was sent back to Minnesota from Florida to participate in the Damascus Way residential program.

In 1990, Eric was questioned regarding a crime in Minnesota. No charges ever filed. However, when he later flew back to Florida to attend his father's funeral and clear up matters of his father's estate, he was arrested for the crime in Minnesota and also charged with fleeing the state to avoid prosecution.

From that time on his life became a series of frustrations. He spent some time in jail then was placed on probation. After six years on probation he was rearrested for a probation violation and sent to Minnesota and finally to Damascus Way.

Eric, who was raised by both sets of grandparents, said he was shown what Christian living and faith were all about but had never really personally applied it to his own life. Shortly after he arrived at Damascus Way one of the staff spent many hours with him during the long weekends. Through the conversations Eric saw his need for salvation and accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. For the first time in his life he understood what Christianity truly was. Eric believes that what happened to him in the last few years is all a part of God's plan to bring him to the place in his life where he could experience the saving grace he now knows.

After he entered Damascus Way Eric wore out a pair of shoes walking the streets interviewing for jobs. After working temporary jobs for a while his searching paid off. On the day he accepted his current management job he had a total of five job offers. He hopes to have his own franchise restaurant in the future and is currently looking at the possibility of attending a law school where he has been accepted and has a scholarship.

In some ways Eric is the exception rather than the norm for men coming to Damascus Way. Many have limited education and lack job experience. Our experience has shown us that if a man finds Christ, has stable employment where he receives a living wage and has a good support system through family, friends and church he most likely will never see the inside of a prison again. Please pray for the men in residence at Damascus Way and for our staff who labor daily to help those coming to us find a second chance.

For the men of Damascus,

Rev. Dick Harden, Director

Damascus Way Reentry Center Inc.