Then and Now

Where I come from, I was never ever supposed to step foot on a campus, let alone graduate. Where I come from, I'm not even supposed to be alive right now. I've passed those statistics. I've changed my life. The education inside and outside of prison, gave me hope. To feel hopeless is one of the worst feelings I've ever felt my entire life.

While incarcerated, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I could do to better my life if I was out there. I came up with a blueprint, and on it was a plan to become an electrician.

After getting out, I immediately registered at SLCC. I knew I needed to stay focused on my blueprint if I was going to make it on the outside. Most the students were already working in the field, so it was intimidating. I was shy about raising my hand. I think it took me twice as long to learn things, but my teacher was amazing.

I remember the first day, walking on campus; I felt free and a part of life. You see every ethnicity, age, men and women, different ways of dressing, all with backpacks on and you think, this is beautiful.

After 4 years of school, I went from apprentice to a journeyman electrician. I own a home and love being a father to my kids.

"To feel hopeless is one of the worst feelings I’ve ever felt my entire life."

Advice

Anybody that has lived a life of confusion, anger, and has faced hardships especially as a kid, you need to know you are worth it. You can play the victim, or you can understand you are worth it.

If you've been in prison, ask yourself would you rather struggle on the inside wondering the "what ifs"? Or would you rather struggle putting into action everything you've wondered about while incarcerated? If no one has told you that you're worth it, then you got to be that person.