“In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.”
– Albert Einstein
Constructing Our Future started as a vision from a prison dorm room. I saw a problem, but more than that, I saw an opportunity. An opportunity to step outside of my norm and make a difference that affected more than myself. This vision led me to do what few in the history of the Department of Correction have ever done: Take an idea, present it in front of the state legislature, and become part of the development of a program that has the potential to change the face of re-entry. By the standards of prison, I wasn’t supposed to do any of this, but through determination, persistence, and lots of help from other women at the prison, I have been able to develop my vision and change not only my life but also the lives of women around me forever. Through the development of COF, I have acquired many skills that will help me be successful upon my release, skills that will help me become a positive team player in every venture that I pursue. More importantly, I think that through this project I have gained a confidence that I have never had before and the awareness that even through the hardest times there is an opportunity to embrace adversity, use it to help others, and apply it to make change.