Life is Written in Pencil
A Conversation with Abbey Crane
I would like to change the pace a bit here. I recently sat down with Abbey Crane from the Unscripted Small Business Podcast for a one-on-one conversation about what we do at Good Samaritan Home, and more important, why we do it. In our current tribal climate of fear and anger, you may find this refreshing.
If you have some time, listen to the entire interview here:
Or spend a few minutes with these podcast interview excerpts:
Abbey Crane:
John, you've had quite a journey! Can you tell us how you ended up running Good Samaritan Home?
John David Graham: It's been a wild ride! I've had eight careers, from children's counselor to fireman to truck driver, even minister. At one point, my wife and I were almost homeless. At 53, we decided to help others who were struggling more than us. We founded Good Samaritan Home, turned an old house into a shelter, and 24 years later, we have 19 homes and have helped over 2,500 people restart their lives.
Abbey Crane: That's incredible growth! How did you transition to housing ex-offenders?
John David Graham: We were already running a shelter when I started volunteering with the Department of Corrections. After a few years, they asked us to house people coming out of prison. They helped with funding, and it became a key part of our work. Stable housing is crucial to helping people avoid reoffending and rebuild their lives.
Abbey Crane: How did you manage going from one house to 19?
John David Graham: It was a risk, but the need was clear. We bought property in Dayton after the housing bubble burst, and the community was supportive. We expanded by fixing up homes in neighborhoods that needed work. Now, we house 80-100 people at a time.
Abbey Crane: What's your approach to reintegration?
John David Graham: It's about habilitation, not rehabilitation. We provide stable housing, teach basic life skills—making your bed, being responsible—and connect people to job programs and reentry services. It all starts with a safe place to live.
Abbey Crane: How do you handle mental health needs?
John David Graham: Mental health is a big challenge. We focus on small tasks like showing respect or cleaning up after yourself. Sometimes it's just listening and connecting. That can make a big difference.
Abbey Crane: You've had a huge impact. Any stories that stand out?
John David Graham: One man, Jimmy, stayed with us for 14 years. He had mental health issues and couldn't live independently. Before he passed, he told us Good Samaritan Home was the only real home he'd ever had. That's why we do this work—it's not just about a roof, but a sense of belonging and safety.
Abbey Crane: That's powerful. Thank you for sharing your story.
John David Graham: Thank you, Abbey. It's about staying focused on the bigger picture. Kindness, over time, wins out.
Abbey Crane: Let's talk about the business side of your nonprofit. How did you know it would be a nonprofit?
John David Graham: I ran a for-profit construction business, but I knew a homeless shelter needed nonprofit status to get grants. Getting IRS approval was tough, and the biggest challenge was staying accountable. We're audited by the IRS and the state, and once I had to cover a $3,000 check out of pocket because I couldn't find the record.
Abbey Crane: What was the first year like?
John David Graham: Grants are competitive—it's like writing a doctoral thesis. You have to track every dollar and prove you're doing what you said you would. When you get a grant, it's a huge responsibility, and the state audits our performance too.
Abbey Crane: How does your team fit into all this?
John David Graham: Our staff is here to support and help people grow. Some are former residents, so they understand the struggles. We focus on mercy, not just accountability.
Abbey Crane: How do you keep your ego in check?
John David Graham: My father-in-law was a hard worker who never sought recognition. I did everything myself at first—remodeled houses, solved problems. It taught me it's about doing the work, not the image. I'm proud of what we've built—people.
Abbey Crane: What's the story behind your book Running as Fast as I Can?
John David Graham: I wanted to write for years, but it wasn't until I was 65 that I felt I had something meaningful to share. The book is a fictional story inspired by my own journey. It's about running through life's obstacles and finding hope. People really connect with it.
Abbey Crane: What do you hope readers take away from it?
John David Graham: Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. You may fall, but if you keep going, you'll reach your goal. It's about forgiving yourself and pushing forward.
Abbey Crane: Let's say someone wants to be a professional chess player, a marathon runner, business owner selling board game tables, and an author. What advice would you give someone juggling multiple dreams?
John David Graham: Do your best in whatever you're doing. If you want to be an actor, wait tables during the day and be the best at it. In my case, I didn't expect to make money from my book. I wrote it because I wanted to share a message. Just give it your all and keep moving forward.
Inspiring Quotes from the Interview:
“Life is written in pencil. We do get an eraser."
"You're the smartest person in the room, and all you did was listen."
"It's not about the image, it's about the product. And my product is people."
"We like to think that life is a sprint for the handsome, for the athletic, for the people who come from good families, so they can run fast. But I've found that life is a marathon. Some of us can't run fast, and some of us have fallen down, but if we just get up and keep running, we will eventually reach the goal."
"And so at the end of my life, I can say, I did what I wanted to do, and I did my best. That's what I would recommend to people- Just do your best."
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