Volunteer, Abraham House

Convicted of drug dealing, former cab driver John Ariza was facing many years in prison were it not for an astute judge who sentenced him to Abraham House instead of Attica. In addition to Abraham House`s alternative to incarceration residential program, the organization is a family center offering social services, including after-school programs, to the relatives of inmates and ex-inmate.

John thrived at Abraham House and is a married father of two, who has earned his GED and now works as an office manager. John volunteers with his family each week at Abraham House, counseling residents and serving as an example of how dramatically a life can change. At the Hero Awards Ceremony, John movingly dedicated his award to Sister Simone Ponnet who was one of the founders of Abraham House and now runs the organization.