Paul Bass Photo
Silas Harris had a spring in his step Tuesday morning after taking a first metaphorical step toward rebuilding his life.
Harris had just finished an interview about job possibilities with a career counselor at Project MORE, the agency that helps ex-offenders reenter the workforce and society after release from prison.
Harris, who’s 57, returned to New Haven four months ago after a 36-year stint in federal and state prisons on robbery and weapons charges.
“I’m just coming from the job interview. That was pretty positive. I’m feeling great about that. Getting back into society, getting back into the groove of things,” Harris, carrying a folder full of papers including certificates and degrees he has earned said during a conversation on Olive Street on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
He prepared for the interview, his first since returning home to the Hill neighborhood from prison, by saying prayers in his Arthur Street bedroom. He was “asking God to walk with me and talk with me and guide me,” he said.
“I was nervous. I’m not gonna lie. I knew I had to get through,” he said.
He had some chicken pot pie for breakfast, then made sure to arrive at the Grand Avenue agency on time for the 10 a.m. appointment to make his pitch for work doing counseling or patient care.
The Brooklyn-born Harris said his family moved to New Haven’s Hill neighborhood in 1975 when he was 12. He said he got involved with a “negative” crowd, hence his troubles. He’s determined to associate with more “positive” people this time around, “people with a healthy diet, people looking to better themselves,” “getting acclimated to society.”
He got through the interview just fine, he said. The staffer told him he did well. “Now I just got to wait.”
Now he was returning home, hoping to hear good news soon.
“I was ready to come out” of prison, he said. “I’m going to take it one step at a time.”
You can watch the full conversation with Silas Harris on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHHFM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program in the video above.
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Click here and see below for previous“Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots