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Ex-Offenders, Officers Run The Bases For Friendly Game Of Softball

DENVER (CBS4)- A group of unlikely teammates came together for an afternoon of competition at Lawson Park. Ex-offenders and Denver police officers cheered each other on in a game of softball.

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"All of us guys who were in trouble with the law at one point are now playing baseball with the law," said Carlos, an ex-offender.

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Carlos served three years in prison and is now rehabilitating in a halfway house, diligently working to change his life for the better.

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Before Carlos and his teammates were running bases, they were running from the law. Now, the only thing they're stealing is home.

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"Many ex-offenders have almost been brainwashed to see a police car or officer, and think 'I have to go the other way,'" said Bryan "Pastor B" Sederwall, founder of the Denver Dream Center.

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Pastor B provides guidance to ex-offenders through his work at DDC. He's helped Carlos and countless others turn their lives around. For the Denver Dream Center and DPD, rehabilitation is a team effort on the field and off.

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"If DPD does their job to find them doing something wrong, we get them to a place to do something right," said Pastor B, "We're all one big community. Some of us got caught and some didn't."

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DPD officers say it's heartwarming to watch men who have made mistakes in their past so determined to change. Jeff Martinez, DPD District 1 Commander, says it makes his job even more rewarding.

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"They get to see us outside of our uniform and not just be the enforcers. We're all just softball players here," said Martinez.

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In addition to helping ex-offenders, The Denver dream center has several other programs that support families, single parents, and children. They're always looking donations and volunteers to help better our community.

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LINK: Denver Dream Center

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