Published: November 15, 2007 12:18 am         

Ministry Takes In Shooter

CUMBERLAND — It doesn’t matter who you are, or were, when you reach Restoration of the Heart. All that matters is you want to change and become part of a community.

For Arthur Bremer, the nonprofit agency with housing at Footer Place off Frederick Street may just be the place he needs.

Bremer, 57, served 35 years for the attempted murder of Alabama Gov. George Wallace on May 15, 1972. Wallace was at a presidential campaign stop at a Laurel shopping center when he and three others were shot. Bremer was 21 at the time.

Released Friday from the Maryland Correctional Institution near Hagerstown, Bremer’s condition of release includes electronic monitoring and staying away from elected officials and candidates. He must undergo a mental health evaluation and receive treatment if the state deems necessary. Bremer may not leave the state without written permission from the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation, the agency that will supervise him until his probation ends in 2025.

Bremer has reportedly declined media interviews, including some that included offers of monetary payment.

While Restoration’s director, Frances Jones, wouldn’t mention Bremer by name or give much information about him, when asked specific questions Wednesday she said she’d been in contact with him prior to his release.

Her goal is to get “him back out there in the world, the same as everyone else,” she said. A bicycle and a toaster were two items requested.

“It’s just a joy to see the person’s face in being able to be free, to be normal and to be alone,” Jones said. “My heart is overwhelmed, it’s overjoyed at how this child is coming out to a new world. He’s nothing like what he’s been made out to be.”

Wade Clark, an advocate with The Leadership Group International, has been right alongside Jones since August. His role, he said, is to help Jones build “capacity,” which is to set up such things as a Web site and accounting system and to help define the mission.

At Restoration, it’s like a family between the all-volunteer group and those who are seeking help.

Jones’ “family” is referred to her from a number of agencies, including the Department of Social Services, Allegany County Health Department and the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation. With room only for three, her homes often are full but she tries to help even if she doesn’t have housing.

“The people respond to love and those who show them God’s love,” Clark said. “Some confuse kindness with weakness and try to take advantage of us. We give them all a chance.”

That’s the same with Bremer, whose gratitude and appreciation are evident to Jones.

“The one I have is working perfectly,” she said.

Residents stay an average six months but sometimes a little longer. Jones said people are ready to move on when they have kept a job long enough that they’re stable.

People are free to leave any time, Clark said. Those who show up at the door often don’t have any support system at all and have fallen through the cracks for some reason.

Jones said she didn’t start out helping people recently released from prison but “that seems like God is sort of leading me” in that direction.

“I love doing what I’m doing and I love people,” she said. “I know through God and us we can help change a lot of things right here in the community as well as those coming out of the prisons and jails.”

She said she’s also “thankful for who I have” and grateful that God chose Restoration to bring such a person.

“There is a gratefulness, there is a change (in him) that started way before now,” she said.

Restoration of the Heart, a ministry named because all hearts go through a healing and restoration, provides short-term transitional housing. It also puts people who arrive without any money get in touch with the resources they need, from jobs to medical care to schooling.

Established April 4, 2004, Restoration relies solely on individual and church donations and fundraisers. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (301) 722-1881.

Jeff Alderton contributed to the story.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.