Robert Emerson
Robert Emerson was raised in South Bend, Indiana, where he began using drugs and alcohol at age twelve. By fifteen, he was addicted to marijuana, by 18 he was an alcoholic. This period coincided with his first encounters with the juvenile justice system. Between the ages of 15 and 18, he was incarcerated eleven times.
As an adult, his crimes escalated from petty theft to being a violent drug dealer, which lead to five felony convictions and four prison sentences. After each release, Robert attempted to live as a productive citizen, but various barriers repeatedly drove him back to crime. Through hard experience, he discovered that lasting change required both sobriety and a fundamental shift in his mindset—moving away from street culture and embracing the Bible as his foundation.
Nearly five years have passed since Robert's transformation began. During this time, he has worked diligently to repair relationships with both his family and community. He joined Men's Talk around that time and has been a facilitator for about 2 years. Having learned to overcome the barriers that once held him back, he now views it as his life's purpose to help others who struggle to break free from cycles of poverty, drugs, and crime.
Kristin Emerson
Kristin Emerson was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Her childhood was marked by instability and trauma, ultimately leading to her placement in foster care. At sixteen, she began drinking alcohol, and by twenty, she had started using crack cocaine.
For years, Kristin's life alternated between attempts at change and returns to the streets. During her struggle with addiction, she was arrested 34 times and held in the St. Joseph County Jail. It's been five years since her last incarceration, marking the beginning of her transformation. During this time, she has completed several recovery programs, including Intensive Outpatient treatment, Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), and aftercare at Oaklawn.
Determined to rebuild her life, Kristin earned her G.E.D. and successfully completed a semester of college, studying psychology. Since May 23, 2022, she has worked as a recovery coach—a role she finds deeply fulfilling. Her passion lies in helping others overcome addiction, drawing from her own experiences to support those walking the path she once traveled.
Married Sept. 15, 2021
Kristin and Robert Emerson's paths crossed almost seven years ago while both were still entangled in lives of crime. In a twist of fate, they were incarcerated just one week apart. After their release, their journeys continued to parallel each other—Kristin found housing at the Upper Room, while Robert resided at the DuComb Center of Corrections.
Together, they made the life-changing decision to break free from their past. They embraced every available program and opportunity for rehabilitation, using these resources to build a stable foundation for their future. Through this process, they discovered the true spirit of South Bend—a city filled with compassionate individuals who stepped forward to help them succeed. The list of community members who supported their transformation is too extensive to name, but their collective impact proved transformative.
Today, the Emerson's have become living proof of South Bend's capacity for nurturing change. Having experienced firsthand the city's generosity and support, they now dedicate themselves to giving back to the community that helped rebuild their lives.
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