Some years ago, the late Father Jack Hickey, O.P., and a group of Vanderbilt University students initiated an outreach effort in which university students and former prisoners share a home, This initiative was an extension of the Vanderbilt Prison Project, and it was in response to the plight of many about to be released from jail – they had no home, no family, no job, and no hope (each of which may contribute to recidivism). Father Hickey and the students opened the first Dismas House in 1974 in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to the Dismas Network, residents typically live in a house for four to six months, leaving with a stable income, a greater sense of self-worth, and hope for the future. Residents are expected to gain employment within two weeks of moving in, help with the chores, attend nightly meetings, participate in evening meals, and pay program fees.
There are currently seven Dismas Houses in the network, including one in Worcester, MA. The name comes from Dismas, the “repentant” or “good thief” crucified with Jesus on Calvary.
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