John grew up in Brooklyn in a middle class home, the youngest of 8 kids. He had a strong family support system and they helped him follow a positive track. John graduated high school, earned his bachelor’s degree, and spent …
Locked Up in Rikers Island at 14 – Erik’s Story in His Own Words
My name is Erik. I grew up in a poor neighborhood on the Lower East Side of New York City in the 1970’s. My father was an alcoholic, so my mother raised me by herself. It was rough for me …
Carlos Nin’s Story
ACE Graduate, Carlos Nin, shares his incredible story with The New York Times. We greatly admire Carlos’ determination and resolve as he continues forth with his sobriety and gainful employment. Read his story here.…
The Go-To Girl – Tenisha’s Comeback in Her Own Words
My name is Tenisha Sanders. I am a mother of three and a grandmother of three.
In my early years, I was a social butterfly. I spent a lot of time mixed up with the wrong people, places and things. …
Latricia’s Comeback Story – You Helped Latricia Find the Rainbow After the Storm
Latricia grew up as an only child and from an early age her family noticed her gift for helping others. By the age of nine, Latricia was volunteering to spend her free evenings and weekends caring for her sick aunt. …
Raymond’s Comeback Story – I Just Know I’m a Loving Person
At the age of 29, while serving a prison sentence, Raymond realized he was suffering from decades old trauma. From the time he can remember up until 11 years of age, Raymond lived in an extremely hostile environment, and only …