From a Life Sentence to a Life Restored: Quinknoca’s Journey
When you’re a young man, a life sentence can feel like a death sentence.
At 18, Quinknoca Owens was sentenced to life in prison for a crime that shattered his future. Growing up in a turbulent home with a mother battling addiction, Quinknoca found himself caught in a spiral of poverty and poor choices.
“Imagine being in a nightmare for 27 years and you can’t wake up,” he said of his nearly three decades behind bars.
But after decades of incarceration, something extraordinary happened: Quinknoca was granted parole, and with that, a second chance at life.
Quinknoca’s introduction to City of Refuge came while he was still behind bars. A friend and mentor, Mr. Greg Washington, would visit, sharing stories of the work being done at City of Refuge. “He told me I would be one of the guys to help rebuild the society I had previously tried to destroy,” Quinknoca remembers. It felt like a far-off dream, but Greg’s words planted a seed of hope in his heart. That hope grew stronger when he was released from prison and took his first steps toward a new life.
Upon his release, Quinknoca initially worked a job at DHL, but he remained connected to City of Refuge, attending mentorship programs and classes. Eventually, his journey led him to become a resident at The 345, City of Refuge’s transitional housing program for men. He vividly recalls how the culture there immediately felt different.
“It was a whole environment built on kingdom business and Christ-like culture. Everyone was smiling, friendly, and caring—something I wasn’t used to in prison.”
Soon after, Quinknoca got hired as the Intake Coordinator of The 345, where he’s the first face new residents see when they arrive at the building. His personal experience gives him a unique ability to relate to the men entering the program. “To give the men hope that they can succeed, despite where they come from…it’s amazing.”
Today, Quinknoca sees his role at The 345 as more than just a job—it’s a calling. “Mr. Washington told me I would be the antidote, that I would be the cure for a lot of people.” Every day, Quinknoca provides the light, guidance, and support these men need to navigate the difficult path from crisis to stability.
Looking back, Quinknoca is filled with gratitude for the support he’s received and for the second chance City of Refuge gave him. To the donors and staff who make the work at City of Refuge possible, he had this to say:
“You’re changing lives every day…You’re doing God’s work.”
His journey from a life sentence to a life renewed is a testament to the transformative power of hope and community at City of Refuge.
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