I have been incarcerated for the better part of fifteen years. I am currently working for the Home Town Hero Project at the Whetstone Unit in the Tucson Complex. I started out as a sales representative where I made cold calls and asked businesses to sponsor and advertise on our program to help veterans. I took the opportunity seriously and I applied myself. I was like a sponge, learning everything I possibly could. The hard work paid off; within my first year I became a trainer where I had the responsibility of training and helping the existing and newly hired agents. This was very rewarding and came with its own unique challenges. As I said I have been incarcerated for many years, and now I must communicate and explain in a way that best benefits the men around me in order to give them the best chance at success. To say this mildly it had its challenges, but again I took the responsibility seriously and applied myself.

I have now been with Home Town Hero Project for a little over three and one half years. The experience has been great; I have learned more real-world skills than I could have ever imagined when I started the program. I would like to believe that I have become a successful trainer and have a positive impact. I also have an opportunity to take what I have learned here at Whetstone to become successful with the same company upon my release. I am very happy to share that eight men from our program are currently having success and working for Home Town Hero Project after their release with many more to come in the near future.

The ACI program has been a critical part of my rehabilitation. I have learned valuable skills while in the ACI program. More importantly, I have found myself. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge and a skill set that I will be able to take with me upon my release from prison that will give me a real chance to be successful and have a positive impact, not only on my family but my community as well. I would like to thank everyone at Home Town Here Project, especially Scott & Denise Balsiger and the ACI program especially, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Holguin for the opportunity. It has been life changing.