“As early as I can remember things were hard for my mother. My family and I were constantly on the move, low on food and while my mother was working, she rarely had anyone to look after my three older sisters and myself. Even through these hard times my mother did whatever she could to ensure that we had a roof over our heads and food to eat. Some of those decisions got her locked up. Since my siblings and I didn’t have another guardian to take care of us during her incarceration, we were placed in foster care. Thankfully, my grandmother who lived in another state at the time, fought for us and saved us from becoming wards of the state. This made my home life a tragedy. But home wasn’t the only place I had to face hardships. With all of the tension and negativity surrounding me, I have finally matured and realized that life can be better than what I’ve allowed it to be. All the help and support I have received since being incarcerated has solidified my opinion that education is the way to a brighter future. I used my time as an opportunity to redirect myself before things could get any worse. I have earned my GED, strengthened my leadership skills and encouraged others to make the best out of their time.”