I remember the day I first met him at the restaurant in the Emerson School of Hospitality at 70 West Chippewa Street, which was part of the Buffalo Schools.
He told me his life story and I was chilled as he said he had killed 3 people and "They didn't even offer any resistance."
I can't imagine taking a life so it was hard for me to understand.
It may be hard for the families of the murder victims to understand why he was free.
Please rest in knowing that Jerry was doing his best to prevent more people from experiencing the tragedies that you have.
He was remorseful and repentant.
He was making a difference by teaching about brokenness and a more excellent way of life.
I introduced Jerry to my friends in the Niagara County Youth Bureau and he became a regular speaker during their youth events.Many organizations began to call Jerry although he still struggled to earn a living. He counseled, drove a truck and did handyman work. He always found time to talk to kids. He endured many attacks from folks who felt he should still be locked up but Jerry persevered. I remember one day in a Buffalo School where I had invited Jerry to share just a few moments of his story. The students were sitting in chairs in a cafeteria style room. He stepped up and showed a picture of his mug shot from the day of the murders. He said very seriously and forcefully: "This is a picture of me when I killed 3 people." The effect on those students was eery. You could see them physically push their chairs back in fear. His story of how he fell to the lowest place a human can go is gripping. His story of how he rose from the ashes of his life is riveting. His story carries the truth of redemption. Young people quickly embrace the brokenness and restoration of Jerry's life.
He told me his life story and I was chilled as he said he had killed 3 people and "They didn't even offer any resistance."
I can't imagine taking a life so it was hard for me to understand.
It may be hard for the families of the murder victims to understand why he was free.
Please rest in knowing that Jerry was doing his best to prevent more people from experiencing the tragedies that you have.
He was remorseful and repentant.
He was making a difference by teaching about brokenness and a more excellent way of life.
I introduced Jerry to my friends in the Niagara County Youth Bureau and he became a regular speaker during their youth events.Many organizations began to call Jerry although he still struggled to earn a living. He counseled, drove a truck and did handyman work. He always found time to talk to kids. He endured many attacks from folks who felt he should still be locked up but Jerry persevered. I remember one day in a Buffalo School where I had invited Jerry to share just a few moments of his story. The students were sitting in chairs in a cafeteria style room. He stepped up and showed a picture of his mug shot from the day of the murders. He said very seriously and forcefully: "This is a picture of me when I killed 3 people." The effect on those students was eery. You could see them physically push their chairs back in fear. His story of how he fell to the lowest place a human can go is gripping. His story of how he rose from the ashes of his life is riveting. His story carries the truth of redemption. Young people quickly embrace the brokenness and restoration of Jerry's life.
On February 2, 2013, I left Buffalo, New York and headed towards Phoenix, Arizona to marry a lady who is a miracle in my life. I would be gone several weeks and I needed someone to step into my shoes as a Relationship Mentor during an After School Program in a Buffalo School. Only one name came to mind: Jerry Balone. I called Jerry and asked if he was free to talk to some kids. I don't think Jerry ever said no to the opportunity to reach young people since I have known him. He was happy to be able to speak to more young people with his life changing story. When I returned in late February, I asked the students what they thought of my friend Jerry. They all thought Jerry was a great guy. I asked them if Jerry was a bad guy because he had done bad things? They replied: "No, he's now a good guy who used to be a bad guy who did bad things." We talked about how people can change and grow as they become good people. Many of the students I talk to have parents in jail or just plain absent. Some parents tell their children that their Mom or Dad will never change. The message we give to children is: "We all have the ability to change ourselves."
Jerry spoke about not caring about his victims. As a child, he was continually victimized. As an adult, he believed that it was his turn to become the victimizer. This happens repeatedly to many of us who have been emotionally traumatized at a young age. If you carry the wounds of emotional trauma in your heart and soul, seek healing. Jerry's story of healing began when he gave his woundedness to God. There are many videos about Jerry that help tell his story. Please watch the video on the link below and share it with someone who needs to feel hope and experience healing.
On the day He died, I was going to write Jerry a check for $45 for his work with the children during my absence. If someone knows where I can send that check or to whom I can give it to who will use it to continue Jerry's legacy, please let me know. Jerry will live on through my words as I speak to thousands of young people in our Relationship Mentoring programs. I miss you Jerry. Jesus loves you and so do we.
Jerry spoke about not caring about his victims. As a child, he was continually victimized. As an adult, he believed that it was his turn to become the victimizer. This happens repeatedly to many of us who have been emotionally traumatized at a young age. If you carry the wounds of emotional trauma in your heart and soul, seek healing. Jerry's story of healing began when he gave his woundedness to God. There are many videos about Jerry that help tell his story. Please watch the video on the link below and share it with someone who needs to feel hope and experience healing.
On the day He died, I was going to write Jerry a check for $45 for his work with the children during my absence. If someone knows where I can send that check or to whom I can give it to who will use it to continue Jerry's legacy, please let me know. Jerry will live on through my words as I speak to thousands of young people in our Relationship Mentoring programs. I miss you Jerry. Jesus loves you and so do we.
http://www.cbn.com/tv/1428491929001
Thanks for your time. Go share some healing with somebody.
Thanks for your time. Go share some healing with somebody.
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