Vermont Man Rebuilds Life After Prison With Help From Volunteers

Isaiah Taylor remembers the first time the Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center promised him help. After years of broken promises from the system, the 29-year-old didn't believe it could be real.

But it was. Days after his 2024 release from prison, the center's volunteers connected Taylor with housing and a job opportunity at Listen Dining Hall in White River Junction, Vermont.

Taylor grew up in Woodsville surrounded by violence and drugs. When he sought help for his addiction as a teenager, no one would listen. Seven years of incarceration for drug charges, assault, and burglary followed.

The justice center, founded in 2003, pairs people reentering society with volunteers who provide more than just resources. They offer something harder to find: genuine support without judgment.

Taylor volunteered at Listen Dining Hall during his first summer out. His work ethic caught manager Sherise Simpson's attention. When HR asked about his criminal record, Taylor chose honesty over hiding.

"I just think it's good to be honest about it and talk about it because I feel like a lot of people don't talk about it and that's kind of the problem," Taylor said.

Listen hired him as a food service assistant. Within a month, he earned a promotion to senior associate. He's received two raises this year.

Simpson doesn't hesitate when asked about Taylor's performance. "He cares about the guests; he cares about the food that goes out, about the quality," she said. "You can't teach people skills. You can't teach how to be nice."

The center's 40 volunteers work alongside five staff members to support over 100 clients annually. Many are referred by Vermont's Department of Corrections, while others walk through the doors on their own.

Executive Director Larry Blake Harvey sees an urgent need for expansion. "We are in a political and public climate where concerns about safety and crime feel more visible, and there is growing pressure on law enforcement and courts to respond more harshly," he said.

The numbers tell a different story about what works. More than 90% of the center's clients find employment and stability without reoffending during program participation.

The Ripple Effect

Taylor's transformation extends beyond his own life. He now lives with his girlfriend and four-year-old daughter in affordable housing coordinated by the center. He's focused on breaking cycles that defined his childhood.

"It's not only breaking the cycle of addiction and abuse, but being a better parent to my kid and being a good partner," he said.

The center offers mental wellness programs, creative classes, and support circles where volunteers meet regularly with clients to work through challenges and plan for the future. About half of participants use these programs as alternatives to jail time for minor crimes.

Harvey hopes more community members will volunteer as awareness grows about the center's work. The organization runs on grants from Vermont's Department of Corrections, plus community donations.

For Taylor, the difference between this second chance and all the ones before comes down to something simple: people who actually showed up when they said they would.