I’ve lived most of my life on the outskirts of a large city (Mpls.), but I’ve often wondered about the appeal of a smaller town. Some of the good folks of Balsam Lake, WI, could give us all a lesson or two.

They’ve figured out how to adopt a 64-year-old chronic evader of the law. As reported by Boyd Huppert of Kare 11 television station on May 10, 2016, Danny Amos was released from prison last year after a life of crime that began at the age of eleven. Parole officer Nichole Strom had to figure out how best to integrate him into the community. Danny left prison with mothing more than the clothes on his back, a check for $3.70, and a crime sheet six inches thick. With no family, nor support group, Danny’s chances of success were slim. Nicole turned to her church, the Alliance Church of the Valley, for help.

Members there responded to the challenge, becoming mentors to Danny. In effect they had to teach him how to live life all over again. Among other things, he knew nothing about how to buckle his seat belt, how to operate a can opener, or even what size underwear to buy. Doors that opened automatically at Walmart startled him.

Danny began his new life in a homeless shelter—the same facility that had housed a jail cell from which he once escaped. A retired courthouse worker who saw him take off that day, Dorene Hendrickson, now rents a house to Danny, who has been fixing up the once vacant home with the help of donations from the community.

Now a member of the Alliance Church, Danny also spends time on church projects. In return, other church members have taught him how to drive, how to cook, and how to fish—a must for someone living in a town named after a lake.

Danny appreciates his new freedom and vows to never go back to his old life. He hopes one day to help other inmates with their transitions back into society. Danny has indeed turned his life around. Many thanks must go to Love Lived Large  by some good folks in Balsam Lake, WI.

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