At age six, Tom Decker lost his godfather to murder. Instead of seeking vengeance, he learned forgiveness.
"And I found a peace by forgiving the person who killed my godfather," Decker said. "And I found a mission to find pathways for people like the person who killed my godfather to be employed. Because in my mind, I believe that if he had been at home in bed feeling good about his life, instead of drunk and angry and in a bar, my godfather would be alive to this day."
He went on to social work that saw him writing recommendations for formerly incarcerated people - only to see them not find jobs.
"I decided to stop being the angry person writing the letters and my people getting rejected, but become the person who hires them," Decker said.
Enter Chicago Green Insulation. A company he started in 2010 and is based out of Auburn Gresham with a dozen employees - all who served prison time, including a man Decker said lost his full-ride to the University of Missouri-Columbia because of a felony drug conviction.
"He graduated with honors from Walter Payton Prep and was ready to go tackle the universe," Decker said. "But because he has to check that box? He's an employee of mine who homeowners call me on a regular basis and say he's impressive, he's smart. How is he somebody that has to check the box of having been an ex-felon?"
The Highland Park resident says his employees are loyal and know they have good opportunities with him - and a chance to use their skills. He says so far only one has returned to prison. Meanwhile he's hoping to partner with the Department of Corrections to get more returning citizens trained in foam spray insulation while they're finishing their sentences.
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