Robinson+Cole Honors Daryl McGraw with Giving Cup Award for Establishing Community Home for Ex-Offenders

The law firm of Robinson+Cole honored Daryl McGraw with its second Giving Cup Award at a reception at The Palace Theatre in Stamford, on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Mr. McGraw is the associate director at the Office of Recovery Community Affairs for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Robinson+Cole Giving Cup Award recognizes an individual who has selflessly given back to the community.

“Daryl McGraw is an individual who not only has demonstrated the power of redemption in turning his own life around after spending 10 years in prison but is now giving back by assisting other ex-offenders with their reintegration into society. His work on behalf of battling addiction and overcoming the obstacles facing ex-offenders upon their release from prison is truly inspiring, ” said Brian E. Moran, a partner at Robinson+Cole. “We are honored to present our Giving Cup Award to Daryl to support the Friendship House, a community home he founded to help other formerly incarcerated men avoid recidivism and reintegrate into their communities. He truly embodies the spirit of the award.”

Along with a commemorative set of Jefferson Cups granted on the occasion, Robinson+Cole presented Mr. McGraw with a check for $5,000 to support the Friendship House. In attendance were Daryl’s mom, stepdad, wife, three children, and nearly 150 clients and friends of the firm.

At the reception, Mr. McGraw passionately spoke about his life and the circumstances leading to his incarceration, his recidivism, and ultimately his journey that broke the cycle. He also spoke about his vision for Friendship House.

“I am honored and grateful to be recognized by Robinson+Cole,” said Mr. McGraw. “Robinson+Cole’s generous donation will help open the doors of the Friendship House and will support men coming out of prison on their path to a new life.”

In addition to founding the Friendship House, Daryl McGraw participates in weekly Connecticut Valley Hospital case conferences as a peer advocate and sits on reentry roundtables throughout the state. He currently serves on the New London, Connecticut, Juvenile Review Board. He is also a board member of the Malta Justice Initiative, whose core mission is prison ministry.

Previously, Daryl McGraw was incarcerated three times over a 10-year period. During his last prison stay, he made the life-altering decision to turn his life around and become a better spouse, a better father, and a better community member. While behind bars, he set what was then viewed as an impossible five-year goal—to become a drug counselor, obtain a bachelor’s degree, and earn a master’s degree. In 2015, he achieved the final piece of his three-part goal. He is now a certified addictions counselor and a certified recovery support specialist and holds a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership. Throughout his reformation, he has helped formerly incarcerated individuals overcome addiction and other obstacles, giving them an opportunity to a fresh start and a dignified, purposeful life.

Last year the firm honored NFL football legend George Martin of the New York Giants with its inaugural Giving Cup Award for his extraordinary work in support of 9/11 first responders and their ongoing medical needs.

About Robinson+Cole

Robinson+Cole is a service mark of Robinson & Cole LLP, an Am Law 200 firm with nine offices serving regional, national, and international clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Since 1845, Robinson & Cole LLP has expanded to meet the changing needs of clients. The firm represents corporate, governmental, and nonprofit entities, as well as individual clients, in a wide range of matters, including corporate; business and insurance litigation; tax and tax-exempt; finance; public finance; land use, environmental and utilities, and real estate; health law; labor, employment, and benefits; intellectual property and technology; data privacy and security; and government relations. For more information, please visit www.rc.com.