BY ANDRE' C. LOWRY

Yesterday, I was abandoned by my drug-addicted mother, disowned by my pimping father… Yesterday, I was an orphan seeking love, attention, and fulfillment from a family whom I thought loved me… Yesterday, I lived on the streets, doing petty crimes in order to eat… Yesterday, I decided I wanted to deal dope to support my son… Yesterday, I started to carry a gun… Yesterday, I shot my best friend; now, I reside in a maximum security prison.
Today, I vow to make no excuses for me or for anyone else. Today, I love others, and that love translates to all of humanity. Today, I work in order to help stop the violence, mentoring youth to speak their truth. Today, I learn to love myself, gain self-respect, and offer help. Today, I’m responsible, accountable, respectable, and honorable; rehabilitated, redeemable and remorseful. Today, I am thankful and grateful, spirited and truthful…
Tomorrow, I’m hopeful that it’s better than my today and doesn’t become my yesterday. Today and tomorrow, I’ll continue to be grateful that my change is authentic and to be thankful to those professors who played a part in it. Thank you to Professor Flavin, Dr. Ogle, Professor Siha, and the HACC Foundation for the second chance to make my tomorrow better than my today and my yesterday.