Danena proudly stands in front of her first home.

A moment can create a ripple effect that can set you down an unexpected path. For Danena Williams, one bad decision in her twenties would see her face seemingly impossible challenges over the course of nearly two decades.

As an accounting major at Grambling State University, Danena was charged with two counts of armed robbery and sentenced to 20 years in prison. It was her first run in with the law. For any ordinary person, they might call it a day. Danena deeply regrets her actions. Her remorse fueled her drive to break the mold, finding ways to pursue opportunities and regain control of her life.

“I stayed focused on making the best of the time. Twenty years is a long time, and I didn’t want it to be wasted time. I took every class, every program, every certification, and finished my accounting degree. Everything they had I did,” Danena said.

Nearing her release after 17 years, another opportunity came in the form of Millie West, case manager for the Cornerstone Builders Re-entry program at Catholic Charities. Cornerstone provides services to individuals and families who have been impacted by incarceration. The program helped set her up in transitional housing. After four months, she would move into her own apartment, with Cornerstone paying her first month’s rent.

“Millie also took me to Walmart to go grocery shopping to get clothes and essentials, plus Cornerstone assisted with the initial set of parole fees. It was the opportunity of a lifetime,” Danena said.

But this opportunity almost didn’t happen.

During her incarceration in 2015, Danena was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and given two months to live. This diagnosis put her faith to the test. Throughout her life, even while in prison, Danena has always tried to find the positive in the midst of the negative. 

“I’m a fighter and a firm believer in God and the amazing things He has done. I prayed and stayed connected to Him,” Danena said.

Following nine months of chemo in prison, Danena went into remission the following year and has remained cancer-free.

She continued to rewrite her story following her release, which included finding a job, purchasing a car and eventually saving enough money to buy her own home. Cornerstone, along with other organizations, assisted her with navigating the home buying process.

Danena received another opportunity to help others in similar situations when she was asked to visit the state penitentiary for women (LCIW) and speak with prisoners during job fairs. She realized, as hiring manager at IHOP, she was in a place to hire incarcerated people when they are released. So far, she has hired seven people.

“People who are incarcerated and those who are formerly incarcerated need to see that you can come home and have a good life. You can beat the odds. Just because a person makes a mistake doesn’t make them a bad person. Just because someone has been incarcerated doesn’t mean change can’t happen,” Danena said.