Meet Donte Malone

Where Are They Now? Former Resident Spotlight
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Former resident, Donte Malone

Harrisonburg, VA - Donte Malone arrived at Gemeinschaft Home early this summer, and he successfully completed the program in August. Now, he has returned to the Norfolk/Tidewater area, moved into a new apartment and found temporary employment as a landscaper, while he searches for a full-time position.

The transition from prison, to Gemeinschaft Home, to living independently has included both successes and setbacks.  For example, one of the greatest challenges he faced during his time in the program was the passing of his mother. However, Malone’s passion for writing, a practice he established a number of years ago while incarcerated, gives him an emotional outlet as well as a way to reflect on his life experiences.

Shortly before his release from prison, Malone wrote down a collection of original adages, sayings, and quotations, that encapsulate his life philosophy and serve as a springboard for conversations into a range of subjects, including parenting, manhood, and addiction.

He had hoped to someday publish the collection, using an oil painting that a fellow inmate created—that depicts Malone watching over his children on a sunny day at the beach—as the book’s cover. One of the greatest successes Malone achieved during his time in the program (with the help of a devoted intern) was the printing of his quotations—in the form of small 20-page booklet—with the oil painting as the cover art.

So far, he has sold dozens of copies to individuals interested in hearing about his life’s journey, including his experiences with addiction and incarceration. At first, he called the collection “My Father’s Wisdom,” referring to Malone’s perspective as a parent, but ultimately, he decided to change the title to “My Mother’s Wisdom,” as a tribute to her, especially because much of the knowledge he shares originated with her.

He is currently working on another collection of writings.  For more information, visit his Facebook page.

Selected examples:

“If you don’t free your mind, your body will stay locked up.”

“Sometimes it’s more difficult to open a book than it is to read it.”

“To lean on forgiveness, you have to stand on understanding.”

“If you can’t get along with yourself, why would you think anyone else could?”

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