For many reasons, all of this shouldn’t have worked out for Perry Clark. He shouldn't have more than 20+ years of experience running one of the nation's most successful re-entry programs for me returning from prison. Perry served 10 years in prison. When he got out, he faced all the burdens, challenges, and disadvantages that come with a long prison stint – lots of reasons to fail.

But it has all worked out for one reason: Perry Clark.

Perry was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Garfield High School. His mission and life’s work began after he was released from prison.

In 1999, Perry founded Truly Reaching You, a ministry to serve men recently released from prison. The ministry trains the men in life and work skills, assists in each man’s recovery, and helps them find employment and new, better lives. 

The living example, of course, was Perry himself. 

TRY program participants receive counseling, spiritual support, food, clothes, and toiletry items ($900 for each man), as well as transportation. They also get job training through TRY services in lawn care and landscaping, commercial cleaning, housing rehabilitation, hauling, and construction.

Now, there are six homes for the more than 25 men participating in the program at a time. And TRY has built a track record of overcoming the plague of recidivism that leads men back to prison. 

“We teach self-reliance that sticks,” Perry says. “Every man who comes to TRY is another man with a better chance to stay out of prison and to be a father, husband, son, and a valued employee — a better man than he was before.”Perry’s honors and achievements include the Social Justice and Human Rights Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Glass Half Full Award from Akron’s GAR Foundation.