Johnson-Shaw Foundation looks to help people re-enter society after prison
Photo courtesy of the Johnson-Shaw Foundation
Shakira and Jeffrey Johnson created the Johnson-Shaw Foundation to help people reintegrate into society after leaving jail.
Photo courtesy of Johnson-Shaw Foundation
Shakira and Jeffrey Johnson created the Johnson-Shaw Foundation to help people reintegrate into society after leaving jail.
While in and out of jail for nearly a quarter-century, Jeffrey Johnson said he never felt like he could find the right support to help with addiction issues that kept cycling him through the justice system.
The Bentleyville native played football at Washington & Jefferson College, but didn无毛视频檛 graduate because of legal problems while he was in school in the early 1990s. That began the long cycle of incarceration in which drugs and related problems kept getting him in trouble.
无毛视频淭here were big opportunities for good but bigger opportunities to fall back into your older habits,无毛视频� Johnson said about each time he was released from jail.
During his latest prison term in the early 2010s, he began reading books that resonated with him and started a diary to journal what he wanted to do with his life, which mainly revolved around helping others in similar positions. He also finally found the right programs in jail that helped to prepare him for success.
无毛视频淚 took part in those programs getting myself ready and able when I came home to succeed and not go back, and I made that not an option in my life,无毛视频� he said of re-offending. 无毛视频淚t takes a lot of focus and a change in your mind that all those things you bought into are all lies.无毛视频�
When he was released in 2015, he decided himself to help others, but he couldn无毛视频檛 do it on his own. He rekindled a friendship with another Bentworth High School grad, which blossomed into love a couple of years later. Shakira and Jeffrey Johnson married in 2017 and have been working to create the Johnson-Shaw Foundation to help people reintegrate into society after leaving jail. What started as winter coat drives and bicycle giveaways is morphing into something much bigger.
无毛视频淲e ended up getting married and put money aside to help others,无毛视频� Jeffrey Johnson said. 无毛视频淲e were doing things out of pocket the last three years without the banner of the nonprofit. It无毛视频檚 just now beginning to see this take off.无毛视频�
Shakira Johnson, whose maiden name is Shaw, worked as a licensed practical nurse in the Washington County jail, so she could relate with her husband无毛视频檚 struggles and his motivation to help others.
无毛视频淭his could you be your mom or dad. What makes you think you无毛视频檙e above any of these people?无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淚 would like people to understand the perspective that people re-entering (society) really do need guidance and assistance.无毛视频�
The couple filed for nonprofit tax-exempt status earlier this year and is now looking to expand their vision to help with transportation and job training. While most people living in Allegheny County have access to public transit, it无毛视频檚 not as prevalent in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, where the foundation is hoping to focus its efforts. They无毛视频檙e still cultivating partnerships as the foundation remains a work in progress.
无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 anticipating this is going to be taking off here,无毛视频� Shakira Johnson said. 无毛视频淲ith all of the addiction and things in our area 无毛视频� I just have a feeling this is going to take off and help people to guide them in the right way. Even to open people无毛视频檚 eyes.无毛视频�
After apprenticing for trade jobs and being accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Jeffrey Johnson is happy to be contributing to society both in his personal and professional life.
无毛视频淗e无毛视频檚 made strides. He amazes me all the time. He无毛视频檚 very humble and the hardest worker I无毛视频檝e ever met,无毛视频� Shakira said.
The foundation held its first board meeting in July after getting tax-exempt status in February, and now the couple is working on building a website and making contacts with organizations that need assistance. Jeffrey Johnson said he无毛视频檚 excited about what the future holds for the foundation and the people it will help.
无毛视频淵ou have to focus and get yourself together while also opening the door to help others who want that help but don无毛视频檛 know they need it or don无毛视频檛 know where to find it,无毛视频� he said.
Call 412-863-8425 to learn more about the Johnson-Shaw Foundation or to offer support.