John Duffy and James Dillard, who provide hope and inspiration through a prison fellowship program, are the latest Honda associates featured in the What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda video series.

The Honda of America Mfg. associates have been volunteering together in a prison ministry for the past year and have developed a special bond that comes from helping others. On a consistent basis, the two men visit with men incarcerated at the North Central Correctional Institution in Marion, Ohio, to share a meal, but mostly just to listen and show inmates that they care about them as people.

“When we treat them as human beings it gives them hope,” Duffy said.

The pair knows that what they are doing is having a positive impact on the inmates now and will have a lasting impact on them once the inmates are released.

“If I can do anything to help just one person not come back to prison, I think there is nothing better,” said Dillard, a Marysville Auto Plant process engineer.

Duffy, a 26-year veteran of Honda, met Dillard a few years ago when he joined Honda and he began informally mentoring his colleague. What started as a work relationship evolved into an extended family for both of them, especially after Dillard supported Duffy following the murder of his nephew.

“James was there every step of the way,” said Duffy. “James really helped our family.”

The prison ministry also played an important role in the grieving process, Duffy said.

“Through hearing their stories, I was able to forgive the gentleman that took my nephew’s life,” he said.