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News - 2007
Alumni Profile: Ralph Horne
Roseland, NJ, Jul 8, 2007 - Prior to 1996, Mr. Ralph Horne had never held a job long enough to file income taxes or qualify for unemployment. Today, he is an established employee of Talbot Hall, celebrating 18 months of service as an Operations Counselor for Community Education Centers.
"Before, my life was unmanageable," Mr. Horne recalls, "but then I learned to live life on life's terms." He acquired this life-changing philosophy during his time as a resident of CEC's The Harbor House, from December 1994 until January 1996. Incarcerated as a result of drug sales, Mr. Horne had previously taken the "fast route" to earn money. At The Harbor, he developed patience and a better understanding of himself. "The Harbor helped me to become a better brother, father, son, and friend," he reports.
Among the many influential people he encountered at the facility, he was most empowered by the words of one staff member who taught him that even though he was not abusing drugs or alcohol, he was still an addict, with issues that needed to be addressed. "I really owe so much to Counselor Shaheed Shabazz. He taught me to stop projecting and to assume responsibility," he states. Mr. Shabazz is currently a Unit Manager at CEC's Bo Robinson facility in Trenton, NJ.
In addition to Mr. Shabazz, Mr. Horne cites the Alumni Association as an instrumental factor in his success. Aside from the vocational, educational, or employment assistance that the Alumni Association offers, Mr. Horne feels that the most important aspect of the program is that it provides the opportunity for residents without family to go home to a strong support system. "[The Alumni Association] was like a second family to me," he states fondly, "I always kept in touch with Alumni.
Even when he moved to Atlanta, Mr. Horne attended Alumni meetings whenever he came back to New Jersey to visit. He still participates in these meetings, particularly enjoying when he can share his experiences with current residents. "It's been good for me to share my stories with, hopefully, future alumni," he comments.
Even today, he looks to Alumni members as a source of motivation. When he applied for his current job, he ran into his former roommate from The Harbor, Mr. Keith Hooper, Operations Manager at Talbot Hall. "He is such a big inspiration to me," remarks Mr. Horne, who hopes to have the same effect on others.
Through his work, he has seen many individuals that he knew from the days prior to his incarceration. He strives to show them how well CEC programs can work. To these individuals, he offers a word of advice, "Take one day at a time, give yourself a chance, and be open-minded. That's what I did.
Beginning as an Operations Counselor at Delaney Hall, Mr. Horne has been working at Talbot Hall for the last year. He is also involved as a member of the Talbot Hall Quality Management Team, a multidisciplinary committee working to continuously improve the experience the facility provides for both staff and residents. This is just one example of his dedication to the mission and growth of the company that gave him so much. "They need a lot more of these programs, especially for younger people. I am so grateful for these programs. CEC definitely helped me a lot.
Mr. Horne continues to set and achieve goals in his life. In September, he will resume his studies at Passaic County Community College, where he has already accrued 35 credits toward an Associate's Degree in Human Services. He reports additional aspirations of obtaining his Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC) and a further degree in Sociology. He hopes that by pursuing higher education and gaining experience through his current position he will be able to accomplish his goal of becoming a Senior Counselor at Talbot Hall.
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