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A Story of Success: Antonio George printer-friendly

By New Creations Community Outreach, Inc.

Twenty-seven year old Antonio George went to prison when he was 17.  Although he came from a two-parent middle-class family in Detroit, he became involved in crime at an early age. At the age of 14 he began carrying a gun.  He sold marijuana to other youngsters.  He also committed burglaries and larceny.

By the age of 17, Antonio was a veteran drug dealer selling crack cocaine along with other members of a young drug gang on the west side of Detroit.  When he was 17 he went to prison for aiding and abetting to 2nd degree murder related to selling drugs.  He served 8 years of a 10-year sentence.

While in the county jail another inmate began to tell him about Jesus Christ. Antonio realized that he desperately needed a Savior.  He accepted Christ and began to fellowship with the other inmates in the jail.

When he was sent to Ionia Prison he continued to grow as a Christian.  He took a correspondence course in Bible.  He studied culinary arts and took computer classes.  He completed his GED in prison.

Antonio was released from prison in 2001.  He joined the TOP program and was matched with a mentor and a local church.  He attended classes and support groups. Since release from prison he graduated from a vocational training program in computer desktop support.  He now has his own business.  He is active in his church as a minister.  He is a leader in the men’s ministry and the prison ministry.

"TOP was very essential for me to make the transition from prison to society.  TOP created an atmosphere that was both encouraging and conducive for a person who wanted to be a productive citizen. If it were not for the mentorship I would not be where I am now," states Antonio.

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