My name is Sumer and I am 37 years old. I am from Winnie Texas, and just this past June I was released from prison with 4 years of parole. Most of my adult life I have struggled with addiction due to some tragedies I have gone through. I didn’t graduate from high school, but I did obtain my GED when I was incarcerated before. Even though I have had several jobs, I never really had a sense of direction. When I was recently at the Melton center, I discovered creative corrections. Words cannot describe how grateful I am of this place. No questions asked, and only one form filled out, they paid for me to go to school.
I am a single mother of 5 children. Money for me to even consider going to school on my own was out of the question. After today I will be a certified scaffold builder, and I plan on enrolling next semester for instrumentation. That’s a 3-year course, but I know where I’m headed now. My life finally has a direction. The feeling of accomplishment and success are almost overpowering, and I can’t remember the last time I have been so proud of myself.
I refuse to let my past define me. I know now what kind of positive role model I can be for my children. With so many good things going my way, God on my side, and the help of Ms. Marsha Pitter at creative corrections I know the sky is the limit. Finally, I won’t have just a job, But an actual career. I can only pray that my testimony will reach out to someone else who knows the struggle and maybe inspire them to want to do something similar. The grass really is greener on this side.
Thank you and God Bless