Progress 2018 -- Making A Difference: At the table
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on February 23, 2018 11:38 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Derrell Sutton, at right, sits in on the first day of class at MPI Project.
Derrell Sutton spent time in prison rethinking his decisions and considering his future following a felony conviction.
His family offered consistent support as he served out his time -- 25 months in the Wayne County Detention Center -- after a 2015 arrest.
"When I ended up getting locked up, I had time to sit down and reflect and actually think about what I was doing and not only what I put myself through but my family as well," he said. "So when I came home, I was really just more focused."
After his release, Sutton worked a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant but didn't work many hours.
It was around that time, about a month after his release, that he connected with the Rev. Marvin Alexander, founder and executive director of the Mephibosheth Project, a nonprofit that works to help former offenders successfully transition back into society.
The program offered him support, direction, mentorship and advice that resulted in Sutton breaking off ties with some of his former friends.
"He told me to leave certain people alone," Sutton said. "He told me to cut ties with certain people to have success."
Sutton followed the advice and worked with Alexander to find a more stable job. He was hired by Case Farms and continues in the full-time job where he's been employed for the past six or seven months.
The work has provided him with the ability to buy a car and rebuild his life. In addition to his family, his fiancée also offered support and encouraged him to stay on track.
"Every step of the way, she's been there," he said. "Since I came home, she's been there the whole time and she still is."
Sutton shared his story with area attorneys, probation officers and others during a meeting in January at Wayne Community College. He also used the opportunity to propose to his girlfriend.
"Everything's good right now," he said. "I can't complain."
Sutton has future goals and plans to attend college to prepare for a career, possibly in business. Alexander has also asked Sutton to become a mentor in the MPI program.
"I always kind of felt like things would work out," Sutton said. "You've just got to want it bad enough. What I've been through, what I made it through, I see myself doing pretty good right now, but things could have been a whole lot worse.
"Anybody that was in my shoes, I highly recommend them getting in contact with Mr. Marvin. The program can do so much for you, help you get back on your feet.
"I can understand it being hard when you first come home, especially if you don't have family or anybody to help you. So being with the program, it's like he's right there with you, going along with the stuff that you normally would go through by yourself, you've got him."
The Mephibosheth Project, known as MPI, provides help to people coming out of prison and others on probation or parole build a successful and stable life. MPI provides people with resources and help, including a support network, social-skill training, opportunities for education and job preparation and help in finding stable work.
-- 'Don't be afraid,' David said to him, 'for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.' 2 Samuel 9:7, from the story of Mephibosheth