Joseph House is a small home in Tallahassee for men released from prison. The program is a nonprofit that provides support services, and it’s growing. Joseph House is buying the home next door.
Pre Shelton served 22 years in prison. He was released in 2021 at 40 years old. He credits Joseph House with giving him a home upon his release. It was there, he says, that he lived for eight months before getting his own place and starting his own pressure-washing business. Now, he’s the Joseph House community educator -- which includes visiting inmates.
“Because the ones that know me – I was there 22 years, I know thousands of inmates – they’ll be like, ‘Oh, man, that’s Pre! Pre! Oh, man!’ And it gives them hope," he said. "Because I know how I was. If I would have seen somebody that I knew got out and was doing that well and I’m looking at it? It would inspire me.”
And he knows what he'll say to those dreaming of a future.
“You’re not defined by the worst thing you ever did. And if it was, if that was true, I would not be standing here talking with you today," he said. "The Joseph House literally changed my life into a person where I can die and leave my family something and leave a legacy behind. Because more than money, more than anything in my life, I care about my character.”
Shelton was speaking at a recent fundraiser where the organization announced its expansion. Joseph House is a nonprofit ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
