Shamere Clyburn, who looks much younger than his 24 years, just cannot stop smiling. And as his smile lights up, people around him cannot help smiling back at him, as if asking, “What in the world are you smiling about?”

There’s seems to be a sense of innocence around him that belies “the drugs I sold, catching distribution charges back-to-back, ending up with two felonies, then being offered this Recovery Court program.”

“My life, before I became addicted to the streets, was me going to school, getting straight A’s on my report card, going to church, and being in the choir. What I did – and remember that I wish I could forget – was choosing the wrong route by hanging with the wrong friends and catching my first charge.”

Shamere “grew up in Haledon, a good, quiet town in a nice area. But I went looking for trouble. In Patterson.” That’s where, he said, he “started using marijuana and dealing all kinds of drugs. It was an easy way to put money in my pockets.” Then, what seemed easy became hard.

“When I got here, I felt like I was still locked up – in my mind,” Shamere said, referring to the day he came from Recovery Court to The Mission. While at The Mission, Shamere was selected to participate in The New Direction Program, a premiere course developed at The Mission to help formerly incarcerated individuals create a plan for their future. Shamere became particularly inspired by some of the faculty who were formerly incarcerated and had gone on to succeed.

“What I learned from this program,” he reflected, “was how to change.” Through counseling, reflection, and writing about his feelings, he now describes himself as “having more energy and being more patient and honest. I have become a happy person. I’ve also learned not to give up on myself so easily. I can finally say that I know that whatever I put my mind to, I can accomplish. And I’ve learned how to stay motivated – so I can achieve my goals.” Shamere added, “I’ve also learned that there is nothing wrong with allowing people to try to help. I have a big support system, including my mom and my aunt. And I’m learning to appreciate that.”

“What I’ve also learned,” he said, “is that it is easy to fall back under pressure. Since I’ve been here at The Mission, I’ve seen some people doing well, then fall back on old ways when they get back on the streets.” With that cautionary note, he added, “I’m not going to let that happen to me. I know that now is my time. I’ve had enough trouble. I know there is so much more that I can do. Now is my time to shine.”

Shamere’s goals include “continuing to work on my recovery, getting my GED, working in a warehouse while I’m here, and writing music, which is how I now creatively express some of my deeper emotions.”