Letter to Seattle is a new feature highlighting the good deeds and positive experiences in our region. This is a letter from a client at Pioneer Human Services, a Seattle nonprofit that provides treatment, housing, job skills training and employment to those recently incarcerated. Submissions welcomed at rob@seattlemag.com.

Dear Pioneer Human Services,

I want to express my deepest appreciation and thanks for all your support after my release from incarceration. Your guidance and support in the Pioneer Fellowship House residential reentry center in Seattle helped me to get grounded and assisted in paving a path to furthering my education at Seattle Central College and get positioned to start my own art and design business, M. Curry Designs. Your interest in me and the advice you shared will have an everlasting impact on me and my life.

When I was serving out the remainder of my time in the reentry center and transitioning back into the community, staff also suggested I take the Roadmap to Success job-readiness training program that Pioneer operates. Instead of pushing me into a job, the Roadmap to Success employees encouraged me to pursue my art career and worked with me on my bio and communications efforts. 

People need to realize how uplifting it is when someone cares about you and inspires you to be the best you can be, rather than judging you for your past and dragging you down. It is like a gift when someone believes in you.

Housing is also an issue that many formerly incarcerated people face when released, but when I was being prepped for release and could not find safe housing, your staff assisted in my approval to extend my stay at Pioneer Fellowship House until I secured stable housing that also had the space to allow me to create my art. I finally found a homeowner that agreed to rent his basement space where I can paint and live.

Due to your belief in me, I am not standing alone; I feel I am part of your family and the community at large. Your referrals for my mural art and paintings have helped my career move forward and your sincere interest in ME has fed my soul. 

I cannot express enough the importance of knowing that others want you to succeed and celebrate with you in your successes. I would like to pay homage to you all who have set such an extraordinary example and organically groomed me to be the powerful, professional, hardworking man I am today. 

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Myron Curry

Owner, M. Curry Designs

www.mcurrydesigns.com