Family embraces ex-cons for holidays

Jon Meyermailto:Meyerjmeyer@idahopress.com

NAMPA — Since moving to Nampa four and a half years ago with their children, Tim and Karen Abbott said they’ve seen crime, even in their family-oriented neighborhood. But none of it has come from the ex-convict transition home two blocks away.

A car across the street was broken into with a baseball bat over drug money some time back. Then their children were sent home because of a possible hostage situation in a nearby home.

“And people are worried about this?” Karen said, questioning the call by other neighbors to oust the nearby New Hope Community Health facility.

In fact, neither Tim nor Karen said they know why people have been so adversarial about the prospect of the faith-based company setting up rehabilitation homes for the released convicts — even in their neighborhood.The couple entertained two residents of the Stonehedge Drive Staffed, Safe and Sober home on Thanksgiving and recently dropped off a plate of “Christmas goodies” at the home’s door.

“They’re good people,” Tim said.

Former Stonehedge house manager Adam Garcia has helped New Hope open five such sites, but he was still surprised by the efforts of the Abbotts to reach out to the men — especially with the outcry coming from other neighbors.

“It’s just a blessing,” Garcia said.

Initial apprehensions

The Abbotts weren’t always open to the idea of their new neighbors. In fact, when they were first told that sex offenders and murderers were being moved into the Maplewood subdivision, Karen said they were “very concerned” — until they found out it wasn’t true.

The couple went and introduced themselves to the men at the house.“They told us about their organization and gave us a copy of the house rules,” Karen said.

“We wanted to meet them before we made a judgment of whether or not they should live near us,” Tim continued.

New Hope Community Health officials say the firm does not accept applications from sex offenders or people with a history of violent crime.

Once the Abbotts knew of the intentions of New Hope, they didn’t fear for their safety or that of their five children — all under 16 years of age. In fact, most of their concerns are for the men in the halfway house, who’ve been “thrust into a situation they weren’t aware of,” put between angry neighbors and city government searching for a compromise, Tim said.

“I think it was a mistake for New Hope to put that house there without telling (the neighbors). Now anything that happens in the neighborhood, they’re going to get blamed,” Karen said.

“The finger’s already pointed, just waiting for something bad to happen,” Tim added.

A community divided

Just weeks after public meetings sought to shut down two transition homes in Canyon County, Adam Garcia and the residents of the new house he manages in Boise, on Aster Place, went caroling around the neighborhood. And despite many neighbors’ firm stance against the facilities in family-oriented areas, they were well received by nearly everyone.

“They were very responsive. They waved, came out and talked to us, it was a very warm night,” Garcia said. “Out of the more than 30 houses we went to, only maybe two didn’t open the door.”

Though Garcia said the changing response was refreshing, he thought the negative feelings also serve a purpose in helping the men see the scope of what their crimes do to people.

Garcia is currently on parole for grand theft. He came to New Hope when his diagnosis with Hepatitis B and liver cancer left him unemployed and moving toward homelessness.“(The men) see the impact of their crimes and people’s reaction ... Our crimes don’t only affect us, but the neighbors and the community,” he said.

New Hope administrator Larry Durkin, who also has a history of conviction, said he too was relieved to see residents warming up to the men. New Hope has opened 13 homes in the Treasure Valley since May and has plans for another in Caldwell. Only recently have the homes seen strong opposition, he has said.

“They’ve been great. People brought out cookies and stuff while they were caroling,” Durkin said. “It’s been a friendly relationship, a cordial relationship.”

The Abbott family plans to continue to spread the goodwill. Recently Karen went over to help the New Hope residents fix their wireless connection, just like a typical neighbor. Now she’d be happy if the other neighbors would just “calm down” about the issue.

“These people are going to be in the community anyway. Why should we be worried that they’re in a structured environment where we know where they are and that they’re getting help?”