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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 17, 2004 New home bolsters fresh start By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings "I am not the old Jimmy anymore," he said. "Jimmy is no longer the old Jimmy. He is the new Jimmy now." By rights, Jimmy should probably be dead today instead of living in the Hazel Center (formerly Jackson House) in Ashland. Jimmy makes up his bed in his room at the Maple Street Hazel House where he shares space with other residents with checkered pasts. Photos by Denise Baratta | Ashland Daily Tidings But that is where Jimmy resides, along with several other mentally ill residents who came from state hospitals and prisons, hoping for new lease on life. Jimmy, who is in his late 20s, came to Hazel Center when the controversial center opened about a month ago. Neighbors vehemently opposed the house, fearing residents of the facility would terrorize their neighborhood. So far, the only terrorizing being done in the neighborhood is by neighborhood kids. "Some have just walked around the building and looked at us," he said. "A few weeks back, some kids were throwing rocks at us. I guess they didn't like us. But they quit doing that now." Jimmy had been in the hospital for eight years and is proud to talk about what he has accomplished since he was incarcerated after attempting to molest two boys. "I learned my lessons as I was on drugs a long time ago. I know I did wrong and have learned not to do it again," he said. "Drugs messed me up. I was sick and mentally ill and did not know what I was doing so I went to the state hospital." Jimmy has been taking his medications regularly which helps him lead a normal lifestyle. He also follows all the programs inside the facility. While in the hospital, Jimmy learned what he did was wrong and why. At Hazel Center, he is learning how to be responsible. "I got better at the hospital and am doing better here at the group home," he said. "I wash dishes here and serve food on weekends. So I am learning how to be responsible." He said it was important to leave the state hospital. "It means I am getting a second chance," Jimmy said. "I have the chance to show that I can do the best I can. I have the chance to show them that I is not going to go back to the old Jimmy. That I am not going to commit another crime and go back to the state prison." He wants the opportunity to eventually get his own apartment and live independently. "I want to show people they can trust me," Jimmy said. "I want people to say I am doing better and improving and not stealing or frightening anybody." Jimmy said he used to lie a lot but has stopped. He also wants people to know he is an honest person. He got to show that honestly this past weekend. "We were going to Safeway and an older man dropped his wallet and didn't know it," he said. "I picked it up and handed it to him and he said, 'thank you, Sir.' It was full of money and I gave it back to him. I was being honest. It had a lot of money in it and in the old days, I would have just kept it. This time I was honest. It showed I really have changed." Jimmy has led a tough life. He was living on the streets, doing drugs, having sex with young girls, buying them and their friends drugs and drinking. He hitchhiked all over the country, even hopping trains to get from one place to another. He was raised in Ashland where he grew up on a farm outside of town. He was sexually and physically abused by his uncle as a child and did not go to school as his father wanted him to work on the farm. When it was sold after his dad died, Jimmy was left to fend for himself. That led him in a downward spiral. Now, Jimmy is a new man with a new resolve that even his family is noticing. "A long time ago my sisters and brothers didn't want to talk to me," he said. "Now I talk to them on the phone and they tell me they can see I have changed. I have an aunt who is going to come visit me in a couple of weeks. "I feel good about myself because I realize my life has changed. I really love this group home. The staff is nice and they are really helping me." Jimmy has one major goal he would like to complete in the next year. "I want to learn how to read and write," he said. "I am hoping to get a tutor to help me. I want to get a GED and then teach others to read and write after I learn." DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams