At 58, Lewis Moore has lived a very interesting life, with 34 of those years being in jail.
As you talk to him, you would think that there will be some bitterness in his spirit. But it is not.
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"I did the crime, so I had to do the time," Moore said.
As the elder in a family with eight brothers and sisters, he was looked to as the protector. When his brother got into a fight with a young man, Moore stepped in, pulled a gun and he shot and killed the man. He was sentenced to 34 years in Jackson Prison. He did have a stipulation that after 10 years he could be eligible for parole.
While in prison, it took him quite awhile to make internal adjustments. He spent many a day in isolation, sometimes 30 days, 90 days and even up to 6 months. He finally realized that he had to start doing things differently. He said he had to change his thought process which would change his actions.
One of the things that he adjusted within his though process was that he had to make better choices. The paths that you find yourself on in life will be based upon the choices that you make. He realized that he made some bad choices. As he made his adjustments in his choices, he notice that he started to have more inner peace.
While in prison, he met Rev Samuel Spruill, CEO of HOPE, a community service organization located within Tabernacle Baptist Church. Rev. Spruill said he noticed that Moore had a different kind of spirit and was focused on being a positive impact instead of finding himself with negatives. Rev. Spruill spent a lot of time counseling Moore. This helped him turn his life around.
Moore has two children, a daughter and a son. While in prison, he and his daughter would always communicate. It took his son awhile to bond with him. His other family members were very supportive. While in prison he earned a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science. His thought was that once he got out, he wanted to work with others and help them understand the need to make better choices.
After 10 years in prison, he began applying for parole. He says that during Gov. John Engler's administration it became very hard to secure a parole. But after 2010, things started lightening up. The view was that the older the parolee was, the more consideration they were given. On Dec. 23,2014, he walked out of prison a free man. He said his lawyer cried when she told him that he was going to be paroled.
Since then, beside seeing and learning how to use a cell phone, his life has taken a positive path. He is a case worker at HOPE, talking to and giving direction to youth who are about to make a bad choice. Rev Spruill says a lot of the young boys will be " mouthing off."
But when they find out he served 34 years, they get quiet and start listening. He also has a job that he works in the evening as a quality control inspector.
He had to get a new identification, he been in jail so long his records were disposed. He spends time with his children and grand son. He has his own apartment ,which blows his mind. He reflexes a lot on where he has come from. But is very grateful to God for seeing him through. When he counsels others he tell them about the negative effect of peer pressure. You do something wrong and when you look around you standing there by yourself.
Lewis Moore, has come along way in his life, and he is definitely Making A Difference.
About Making a Difference
On a daily basis in spite of ones life's struggles and challenges, there are some people who reach out an make a positive impact on the lives of others. That is why Local 4 and a prominent local clergyman, Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. have teamed up to find those people and tell their stories.
Do you know an everyday hero in your life? E-mail us and tell us about them.
About Rev. Lonnie Peek, Jr.
Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. located in Detroit in 1975. After teaching 2 years in DPS, he went to WSU receiving a Masters of Social Work, an activist on campus he created the Association of Black Students. He is an entrepreneur and serves on such civic boards as New Detroit, Inc, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. With extensive radio background expanding 25 years, he writes a weekly column for the Michigan Chronicle. He has been a regular on local/ national television shows dealing with political and social issues An ordained minister and seminary graduate, he serves on the executive committee and is the public relations chairman for the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity and is Assistant Pastor at Greater Christ Baptist Church.