FROM WORST TO FIRST!

"We Turn Liabilities Into Assets" 

• The work of PS&D earns Dennis early release from a life sentence in 1995.

• He takes PS&D into the community to help ex-offenders after their release.

• Begins to attract local and national media attention (e.g., feature story on Fox 5 “Good Day New York”).

• Over the years PS&D is endorsed by more than 100 organizations and individuals in public life.

We Are Reform! - Nydia Benders, Chief Manager Officer

When I joined PSD the organization was 10 years old. That was 10 years ago. Since then much has happened.  I was called to action because it was impossible in a city like Newark, NJ not be worried about the condition of the community. But, my main motivation was black men and the crisis of unemployment, illiteracy, crime, incarceration and death.

Being the mother of two sons how could you not worry about their future security? The first time I heard Mr. Porter or any of the PSD members speak I was moved. These were people that were acting, not just talking. The biggest surprise was so many black men that were positive, though they were formerly incarcerated, gang leaders, you name it. I am more respected among them than any other place I've been.

I use to say to Mr. Porter, "I wish i could come and work for PSD full time."  His answer was always, "You will, just hang on in there!"

Mr. Porter is a firm believer that destiny is controlled by will, faith and action.  Well, here I am, Chief Managing Officer, Nationally.

I oversee PSD's core staff, a membership consisting of 5 Teams whose job is keeping up with everybody and everything Prodigals.

No experts came in and set up PSD, we learned by trial and error. For 18 years we paid for everything ourselves until the board was formed. As the President,  Mr. Porter says, "We are seriously underestimated, but that's good!"

While billions of tax payer dollars continue to be spent to control crime from the neighborhood block to the cell block and back, here we stand alone, fighting the real cause which is more deeply rooted in prejudices; i.e. race, gender and class.

Equality is just, but it is not gained necessarily unless you're prepared to take it!  Whereas the people of this organization might have at one time used violence to get what they want, or felt they deserve, I am proud to be apart of a group of people reclaiming their rightful place using intelligence, integrity, and tenacity backed up by hard work. Long Live PSD!   

Before:  Public Enemy #1

Ex-convicts, Ex-drug dealers,   Ex-prostitutes, Ex-robbers,        Ex-murderers, Ex-substance abusers, Ex-citizens

Now: Model Citizen 

Business Owners, Community Leaders, Doctors, Lawyers, Parents, Professors, Authors, Artist, Athletes, Social Service Experts, Religious Leaders