Men coming out of prison and off addictions in New Brunswick are trying to turn over a new leaf by running a maple syrup business.

The Village of Hope, a men's centre in Tracy, has built a growing sugar shack operation. More than 1,100 maple trees have been tapped this year. The operation is run by men working to get their lives back on track.

"It's a good thing, I'm happy," said Jeremy Robinson, who was sentenced to five years in prison before coming to the centre. "I'm so glad I came here instead of keeping on drinking and drugging. That road would have led to a terrible ending, and I was very close to it. It's a lot better than where I was."

Previous Next As long as men have the drive to change, and aren't a threat to themselves or others Christian-based centre accepts anyone. Even those that apply from prison.

"I've been in and out of jail since I was 14," says Christopher Morehouse of Saint John. "Now I've been here two years and I think it's great. I love it.

In the past judges have allowed men who are awaiting sentencing to stay at the centre instead of being held in custody. On one occasion a judge who convicted and sentenced one young man spent an afternoon at the centre to celebrate that same man's graduation. 'We keep growing'

The sugar shack has been a part of The Village of Hope for several years now, continuing to expand each spring.

"We're at 1,100 buckets now," says Andrew Vahi, the president and founder. "Last year was our worst season, but the season before that I think was our best. But we keep growing."

"Most of the syrup we give away," said Vahi. "The guys give it back to those who donate to us."

Greg Rasmussen, originally from Virginia, is a leader at the centre and graduate the program.

"When I was 23, I was living in my car and I was addicted to crack cocaine, says Rasmussen. "If you told me nine years ago I'd be up here in Canada running a maple sugar shack I wouldn't have believed you."

Rasmussen says he wants to someday hand off his role at the centre to someone who needs it more than he does.