“I got my last strike for drugs and was getting ready to go do my 3-year prison time. I dropped out of school in the 9th grade. I don’t have a high school diploma and I have 3 kids. I left all my kids with my mom to raise because their mother is not in their life due to drugs, also. I didn’t have nothing for myself; no future, no good way to support my kids. I felt hopeless when I was sitting in county. I was feeling bad. I just saw the light. I knew I needed to be a father to my kids. I needed to grow up and change. My father wasn’t in my life. God is my savior; I didn’t have to go do my prison time. Instead, I went to recovery treatment programs; Options Adult Services and Oxford House. I have my own place now. I’m sober and have a job. I have one of my kids full time and will have all 3 in May. My name is Ravon and I surrender.”
(Ravon, Wichita, Kansas)