OAKHAM, Mass. - Dismas Family Farm is preparing for it's fifth annual Christmas tree sale, complete with sale hayrides, hot cocoa and homemade crafts for customers

Intern Cordell Miller was hard at work Friday making sure everything is ready. He said he’s come a long way from being the man who was incarcerated for driving under the influence.

"The first time, it was a light sentence," Miller said. "I thought I wouldn't go to jail. When I got the first one, I said. 'Well, I won't do this again.' So, I get the second one and I still said, 'I wouldn't do it again.' And then the third comes."

Miller lived as an addict in Boston before joining The Dismas House about four years ago. The Worcester County nonprofit has served the community for 35 years by providing legal support, employment opportunities and housing for former prisoners.

Program coordinator Michael Kenny said a healthy re-entry process is vital because recidivism is a big issue.

"When the prisoners come out, they need an environment to decompress, to start to work on some case management issues, maybe mental health or substance abuse issues," Kenny said. "So, it gives them a safe, structured environment."

The Christmas tree sale is part of Dismas House’s milestone anniversary celebrating lives reshaped, like Miller, who said he is proud of what he’s doing.

"I don't think I have such a bad behavior anymore," Miller said. "I'm not drinking anymore. So, management invited me come live in this place, which, I'm so happy. This works. I can come on down, volunteer, and then go back up and sleep comfortable."

"We want people to understand that our motto is we work side-by-side with them and they're great people," Kenny said. "Sometimes they're just misunderstood."