The guys

---

JaMarcus Fields went to prison at the ripe age of 18 years old, where he would spend the next 26 years of his life. In 2019 he was released at the age of 44; having spent more of his life in prison than in society.

Against all odds, he set out to redeem himself and make the best of what was left of his life. And the results of that determination are that he got married to his fiance of 6 years, started a non-profit organization, Iron Sharpens Iron W.A.S.T., Inc.. He wrote his first book titled, "WAKE UP.... If you shut up you just might learn something", became a certified peer recovery coach, life coach, and MRT facilitator. 

With all he accomplished, he then set out to go back into the very penal facilities that he resided in for 26 years. He is now a trained IDOC volunteer facilitating a program called Breaking The Chains where he is helping other men on their re-entry journeys. 

John Applegate is a Director of Operations at a Christ-based men’s residential recovery home, David's Courage. They offer a one-year program for men seeking to create new habits, learn new skills, and set the foundation for long-term success in recovery.

John spent 26 years of his life in prison and developed life skills that give him the privilege of serving these men by mentoring them, guiding their needs, and holding them accountable in hopes of facilitating healing in their lives, their relationships, and in the community.

John continues to volunteer at the South Bend Community Re-entry Center, helping the community outreach staff, and transporting and supervising small groups of residents from the Re-Entry Center who spend time volunteering at David’s Courage.

The stories John tells in this project share more about his life of redemption and the importance of the community played in his success. He hopes through listening to these stories, you will understand and support any efforts that intend to

enhance transitional programming for men and women returning home from incarceration.

Since his release from incarceration in January 2020, Antrone Crockett has dedicated himself to refocusing his life towards living in healthy and proactive ways. He quickly realized that he needed to gain new life experiences that would lay the foundation for his ability to give back to the same communities he once tore down. 

In 2021, Antrone became a student at IUSB working towards his master’s degree. Today, he runs and operates his nonprofit organization called Dream Builders, while working for another nonprofit, Imani Unidad Inc.

Antrone believes that to fully reach his potential, he must become a life-long student of life. With this in mind, he has become a playwright, actor, and author as well as a certified phlebotomist, and STI tester. 

Deatron Lee served twenty-three and a half years in prison. He was released to the Indiana Department of Corrections House Arrest program where he served an additional 120 days.

Since then, Detron has maintained a stable job as a Metal Fabricator, and has completed the Barbering program at Ravenscroft Beauty College. He has been working both as a welder and a barber now for the past year and a half.

Deatron is devoted to his career goals and strives to eventually own and operate his own business. He is confident he can accomplish those goals with the help and support from those closest to him. 

The most important accomplishment Deatron has achieved thus far would have to be getting married. His wife has supported him throughout this entire endeavor and together they will bring their goals into fruition!

Grass Roots Media is an Emmy and Telly Award winning production company lead by founders who have a passion for short- and long-form documentary. Andrea and Donnie Rogers excel at nuanced storytelling and are recognized for balancing complex subjects with challenging production schedules.

In addition to producing independent projects, they each have over two decades of

experience shaping stories for non-profit, corporate and higher education clients, editing

documentaries for broadcast on PBS, and filming on location internationally.

Andrea is an active member of the International Documentary Association, Women in Film and Video, and The D-Word. Her work as a director, producer and editor is available on streaming services like Hoodox.tv and at grassrootsmedia.net.

The South Bend Civic Theatre’s mission is to enrich and create community through live theatre. They accomplish this mission through excellence, education, and equity. Through their work, they pledge to be a light to illuminate the darkness, a flame to ignite curiosity, and a beacon to guide all towards hope. 

SBCT is more than a building where productions are performed: it is a welcoming community space where dialog is fostered. They strive to bring theatre to every member of our community, especially to those who have been systemically undervalued. 

The INside the OUTside Film project is a beautiful continuation of work we began over six years ago as part of our collaboration with the South Bend Community Re-Entry Center.

Established in 2002, and Based in South Bend, Indiana Project Impact South Bend concentrates on identifying and building upon the God-given skills, strengths and potential of all families, but especially those in low income, under-served communities. 

Applying for and obtaining 501C-3 non-profit status in 2006, we provide training, counseling and education services in the areas of personal growth, health and economic development for the entire family through direct programming and selective collaborations.  At Project Impact we know that families are the foundation of strong communities, and that love is the cornerstone of a healthy family.

As a model of public safety, the South Bend Community Re-Entry Center promotes the successful reintegration of lawful, self-sufficient, and productive citizens into the community. 

This is done through the thoughtful application of dynamic supervision, experienced rehabilitative programming, and by providing opportunities for residents to demonstrate a strong work ethic and civic duty to foster productive partnerships with employers and citizens in our local communities. 

In 1967, new legislation allowed the Department of Correction to place selected incarcerated individuals, who are within 12 months of their release, in a community-based work release re-entry program to prepare for their transition back into society.