Support Darrin Lester
Don protégé
Please support Darrin Lester as he transitions from a West Virginia prison to West Virginia University where he will pursue a master’s degree in Social Work, starting fall 2021.
Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting Darrin knows he is a beacon of hope for all the people at Mount Olive and St. Mary’s where he has been incarcerated. Darrin’s leadership and compassion make him an incredible mentor to many. West Virginia is so lucky to have him.
Darrin plans to continue helping people in prison after his release in June. He is dedicated to the movement for social justice—which is, he says, “more than a popular political term. It is a life calling.”
Darrin needs financial support for first/last month’s rent in Morgantown, security deposit, clothes, food, medication, furniture, a phone, and other incidentals of life on the outside. It is daunting to start over with no savings, and this is the case for most people leaving prison. The summer is an especially needful time before financial aid kicks in.
In Darrin’s Words
“In the past twelve years I have committed myself to self-discovery. I got clean and sober, beginning the process of identifying my brokenness. I surrendered myself to the Christian spiritual principles. I began to see that I had a passion to enlighten, educate, and encourage others who were stuck in the same cycle of self-destruction. Once I earned my bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted to seek a master’s degree in Social Work.
“My life mission is to inspire change in the lives of people locked in a pattern of addiction, violence, crime, and poverty. I have worked to empower men to develop coping skills to control impulses and think their way through whatever dilemmas may come. These activities are not recorded anywhere, but I value those interactions most.”
Among Darrin’s Accomplishments
Co-founded and served as primary facilitator of the Olive Tree Initiative—a prison-based and rehabilitative community designed to foster accountability and positive life choices. Olive Tree operates in two state prisons—with over 300 graduating to date.
Awarded the Harvey Bush Award by the City of Charleston in WV, the highest civilian honor awarded by the city.
Provided Pastoral Counseling to people in prison, covering suicide prevention, recovery from sexual abuse, and prevention of domestic violence.
Co-founded the first Hospice Program in the WV Dept of Corrections. Ensures that terminally ill people do not have to die alone.
Provided spiritual and secular counseling to prison population, especially in the areas of grief, addiction, violence, HIV/AIDS, family conflict, and racism.
Trained service and shelter dogs for Paws4Prisons
With Gratitude
We are so thankful for any kind of financial support you are able to provide. We want to ensure Darrin has adequate support as he moves into this new stage of his life. He will also need other kinds of assistance: transportation, adapting to new technology, navigating everyday life, etc. Contact us with the "Contact" button below if you would like to help in these ways. Darrin sends his many thanks! --Katy Ryan and Lida Shepherd
Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting Darrin knows he is a beacon of hope for all the people at Mount Olive and St. Mary’s where he has been incarcerated. Darrin’s leadership and compassion make him an incredible mentor to many. West Virginia is so lucky to have him.
Darrin plans to continue helping people in prison after his release in June. He is dedicated to the movement for social justice—which is, he says, “more than a popular political term. It is a life calling.”
Darrin needs financial support for first/last month’s rent in Morgantown, security deposit, clothes, food, medication, furniture, a phone, and other incidentals of life on the outside. It is daunting to start over with no savings, and this is the case for most people leaving prison. The summer is an especially needful time before financial aid kicks in.
In Darrin’s Words
“In the past twelve years I have committed myself to self-discovery. I got clean and sober, beginning the process of identifying my brokenness. I surrendered myself to the Christian spiritual principles. I began to see that I had a passion to enlighten, educate, and encourage others who were stuck in the same cycle of self-destruction. Once I earned my bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted to seek a master’s degree in Social Work.
“My life mission is to inspire change in the lives of people locked in a pattern of addiction, violence, crime, and poverty. I have worked to empower men to develop coping skills to control impulses and think their way through whatever dilemmas may come. These activities are not recorded anywhere, but I value those interactions most.”
Among Darrin’s Accomplishments
Co-founded and served as primary facilitator of the Olive Tree Initiative—a prison-based and rehabilitative community designed to foster accountability and positive life choices. Olive Tree operates in two state prisons—with over 300 graduating to date.
Awarded the Harvey Bush Award by the City of Charleston in WV, the highest civilian honor awarded by the city.
Provided Pastoral Counseling to people in prison, covering suicide prevention, recovery from sexual abuse, and prevention of domestic violence.
Co-founded the first Hospice Program in the WV Dept of Corrections. Ensures that terminally ill people do not have to die alone.
Provided spiritual and secular counseling to prison population, especially in the areas of grief, addiction, violence, HIV/AIDS, family conflict, and racism.
Trained service and shelter dogs for Paws4Prisons
With Gratitude
We are so thankful for any kind of financial support you are able to provide. We want to ensure Darrin has adequate support as he moves into this new stage of his life. He will also need other kinds of assistance: transportation, adapting to new technology, navigating everyday life, etc. Contact us with the "Contact" button below if you would like to help in these ways. Darrin sends his many thanks! --Katy Ryan and Lida Shepherd
Organisateur
Katy Ryan and Lida Shepherd
Organisateur
Morgantown, WV
