THE NIELSEN HOUSE

The Nielsen House is a transitional home in Rochester, NY for men who are looking to successfully re-enter into society from prison or jail. All of the residents are mostly repeat offenders; therefore, change is difficult for them. Twelve men live in a house at a time, creating an atmosphere in which some men can help each other re-enter into society successfully. The men must give up their old lifestyles and re-invent new ones in order to graduate from the Nielsen House.

Michael lays on his bed and mentions the struggles he has currently, “Battling my drug addiction is hard, I still have thoughts and dreams about it.” Michael was a repeat drug addict and has been in prison numerous times. He came to the Nielsen House to help battle his addiction and turn his life around for his family.
   
The Nielsen House gives all the men daily chores in order to show the men new skills they might not have learned before and give them responsibilities for living in the house.
   
Edgar was a long term resident and graduated after eight months of entering the Nielsen House. Edgar had an unsupportive family life while he was growing up and to escape, Edgar used drugs and drank alcohol. It was hard from him to battle his addiction, he would always think about it while at the Nielsen House. “I would remember how using or drinking would put me into bad situations and mess me up, but I do not want to mess up anymore.” Edgar said this is one of the ways he battled his addiction problem.
     
  
The Nielsen House men smoke cigarettes and bond outside after finishing the daily chores after dinner. While smoking, the men talk to each other about what happens during the day or any troubles they might be having. Some of the men look to others for support while they actively seek help for recovery from the Nielsen House.
   
Joe rubs Matt’s neck to get him excited about working out in the gym located in the basement of the Nielsen House. The men use the gym downstairs to relieve of daily stresses or struggles of recovery, like quitting the program and returning to old lifestyles.
   
Nick and Joe look inside of Cycle Stop Motorsports in Rochester, NY before watching a movie during Friday night recreational time. Nick and Joe mentioned they want to own motorcycles in the future.
     
  
Michael holds his daughter while attending church with his whole family. Michael was reunited with his family after being at the Nielsen House for a few weeks and is giving up his drug addiction to become a better father for his nine children.
   
Joe takes a break in between weight-lifting exercises in the basement of the Nielsen House. Joe continues to lift weights after being in jail because it reduces his daily stresses of recovery.
  
James yells at Michael for getting in his way while cleaning the kitchen after dinner. Small arguments may occur while the men perform their household responsibilities and are not tolerated by the Nielsen House. Some of the men are not used to these responsibilities.
     
  
The Nielsen House men pray after bowling during a Friday night recreation night. The Nielsen House staff take the men to recreational activities on each Friday to get them outside of the house and to expose them to different things. Some men have never bowled before and enjoyed playing with the other men in the household.
   
Edgar looks at a picture that was taken at Wanda’s birthday. While leaving Edgar mentioned, “The Nielsen House is family to me, I can’t forget anything that happened here, they got me back on my feet.”
  
Edgar prepares to move out of the Nielsen House on Friday March 18, 2011.
     
  
Edgar hugs Nielsen House director, Wanda Johnson as he prepares to move out of the Nielsen House. Wanda says Edgar was one of the most inspirational people she has ever seen gone through the Nielsen House and is certain he will be successful in his life.
   
Edgar stayed eight months at the Nielsen House and graduated after committing to himself he would never use drugs again. He knows the root of his problem began with his family and he decided to move into his own apartment to prevent being in the wrong environment for him.