Stephanie in the Morning 10/2/26: Vincent English, Michael English House and Skilled Purpose + SandwichFest

Content note: this episode includes frank talk about addiction, alcohol, incarceration and the loss of a family member. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time.

Cape Cod's only daily show, live from Mashpee on October 2, 2026.

TODAY: Vincent English, co-founder of the Michael English House and its carpentry program, Skilled Purpose. THIS WEEK ON CAPE COD: SandwichFest, Oct 3, Sandwich / Candyland Kindness Festival, Oct 4, Buzzards Bay / Love Local Fest, Oct 4, Hyannis

Vincent English grew up on the Cape, lost his brother Michael to addiction in 2017, and found his own recovery after time in jail. He tells Stephanie how that road led to the Michael English House and Skilled Purpose, a 12-week carpentry program for people in recovery and people leaving incarceration.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Thanks to Mashpee TV for hosting, and to SCORE and the Chamber for the introduction
• Two classes running now at the Bridge Center in Barnstable: recovery on Wednesdays, incarceration on Tuesdays
• Twelve weeks, three hours a class, from never holding a claw hammer to job-site ready
• Borrowing the union business agent model from his years as a Boston pipefitter
• Growing up on the Cape, and losing his father at 12
• Losing his brother Michael in 2017, and his own fall into alcohol
• Three months in the Barnstable County jail, a Bible, and a decision
• "The one thing I had when I got out was my job"
• Why people coming out of jail or recovery can be some of the best workers you will ever hire
• From a dream about a sober house to a nonprofit, with free help from SCORE
• Sheriff Donna Buckley says start with the trades
• The goal: a full-time school for plumbing, electrical, HVAC and carpentry
• Fines, licenses and transportation: the hurdles after release
• Wraparound services with MassHire and a partner therapist
• Question of the day: what skill do you want to learn?
• A Route 151 update: better signage, two lanes open, and more work moving to nights

HOW TO HELP SKILLED PURPOSE

Community cohorts start in March and September; sign up in January for March. Sponsor a tool belt, about $500 each, or help cover work boots for graduates who land jobs. Donate through the Michael English House Facebook page or skilledpurpose.org. Contractors looking for entry-level carpenters, reach out.

PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED

Vincent English of the Michael English House and Skilled Purpose (skilledpurpose.org), Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley and the Bridge Center (bsheriff.net), Marc Goldberg of SCORE Cape Cod and the Islands (score.org/capecod), MassHire Cape and Islands Career Center, Stefanie Coxe of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, Mashpee TV, the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce (mashpeechamber.com), Events on Cape Cod (eventsoncape.com).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Sat Oct 3: SandwichFest, Sandwich Village
• Sun Oct 4: Candyland Kindness Festival, Buzzards Bay
• Sun Oct 4: Love Local Fest, Aselton Park, Hyannis
• Oct 9 to 31, Fri and Sat: Haunted Hallows night markets, Mashpee Commons
• Sat Oct 17: Witches Walk, Buzzards Bay

QUOTABLE

"Your time is the thing that is the value." (Vincent)

"Let's go back to the boat. Let's go back and get the others." (Stephanie)

"I got back everything and then some because I put alcohol down." (Vincent)

If this hour hit close to home, help is free and confidential. Call or text 988, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24 hours a day.

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