Joseph Zacarolo’s Story

“I served a 15-year sentence in federal prison for a violent offense. For most people, serving this much time would put them on the path to repeated offenses and incarceration. But I was determined to take
a different path. My girlfriend helped me find Main Street Meeting Place and Executive Director, Hope Oliphant. I started in the Getting Ahead group program (a 15-week course) and became a co-facilitator.
I learned three important things: unspoken etiquette, finding resources, and theory of change. These concepts helped me create a plan for my life that I was able to implement. I was then able to apply these concepts to help others. So, for me, Main Street Meeting place not only changed my life, but enabled me to change other people’s lives for the better.
Because Rowan County United Way helps fund Main Street Meeting Place, I was able to break the cycle of incarceration.
I learned a new way of relating to people and a new way to live life!" - Joseph Zacarolo