(WSAV) – They committed a crime, went to jail and paid their debt to society.
But what happens after a “con” gets out and wants to restart their life?
One local business is doing their part to help.
Kings and Queens Car Wash on E Derenne ave prides themselves on quality work, and quality workers.
“They’re excited,” said Cecilia Scott, co-owner of Kings and Queens. “Once they are here for the first week its ok Mrs Scott, we’ll see you in the morning. They love it and we love them.”
“it means a lot because this place is like family,” said Bobby Patterson, car detailer.
A “family” and a business which started with an idea. Help out those who have a tough time getting a break, after they get out.
“Most of our workers are on probation or parole and have to have a job because they have to pay their probation fees,” explains Scott. “So we figured it was a good start for them.”
A good start is a good, temporary job for ex-convicts just out of prison.
“This is just a car wash,” explains Scott. “We are teaching them respect, structure in their lives, but this is just the beginning, this is just a stepping stone. you can start here.”
For Bobby Patterson, after 17 and a half years in prison on drug charges, it was a start of a career.
“I’ve been turned down a lot because of my background,” said Patterson. “But they welcomed me with open arms and they respected me when i came.”
Came to stay, learn and change his life.
“Nobody could ever get me to go back again because i love washing cars, its my passion. I don’t want to do nothing else.”
Its a message Patterson hopes more people who’ve been to jail listen to.
“Everybody out here trying to find a job,” says Patterson. “If you are really trying to find a job then pick up a rag. My mentality is to turn that dope into soap.”
Cecila Scott hopes that’s a message everyone here listens to.
Stay clean… one car at a time.
“It just gives you a good warm feeling inside to know i am in a position to help somebody,” said a smiling Scott. “That’s a good feeling that’s a wonderful feeling and i love it.”
The Scott’s even go so far as to drive their workers to the car wash every morning, to make sure there area no excuses for why they didn’t make it to work, on time.
In the two years Kings and Queens has been open almost two dozen ex-cons have worked there without one incident.
Several of those workers moved on, got full-time jobs, and are starting that new life.
The couple now hopes the courts will see what they are doing and place some probation and parolees at the car wash to learn, to earn a little money, and get back on their feet.
