Meet Andrew.

My name is Andrew Ramirez. I was born 33 years ago in Santa Barbara California. I was raised by a single mother on the Wellfare system. I have only known my mom to have had one job, for a very short time, in her whole life. I learned from her how to forgive and how to love my children. But, I had to learn work ethic, responsibility, financial independence, and the value of education on my own. Which is probably why it took me so long. My mother passed when I was 18. So, I had to learn how to provide for my wife and two daughters on my own as well. I value my knowledge and strength so much, because I sacrificed so much to get it. 

I am currently attempting to get into a degree program from Upper Iowa University. I work here in the prison as a Braille Specialist. I have been transcribing Braille for the past 10 years and I love doing it. But something I want for myself is a degree in Psychology. I have been incarcerated for 11 years with 6 left on my sentence. Only recently has it been a possibility to participate in college courses here. I could never afford to pay for a degree on my own. 

I went to high school for two months, got my GED at 17 years old, and that was the last time I was in a formal school setting until I was 22. I took out a FAFSA loan to go to community college here in Iowa. The money ran out very quickly, and with two daughters and a wife pregnant with twins, I had to quit school and go back to work. That was the first decision of many on my path to my incarceration. My wife was murdered earlier this year, so now the vision I had for my future has to be changed. I am still working on that. The constant though, will always be my children and the strength I keep for them. 

A degree while in prison for me means so many things. For one, it will be a lifelong dream realized. It will be an example for my children to persevere through all adversity. I have an extreme thirst for knowledge and education. I love school and I have been wanting to get back into a school setting, regardless of the type of setting that is.

I want a degree in psychology because I want to help people. To understand a person's plight at their core, I need to understand why and how they think on a deep and profound level. The mind is vast, and so many human thoughts and behaviors are stigmatized. I want to be someone who understands them, that “sees" them, that doesn't judge them. Psychologists and therapists are honorable professions often on the cutting edge of human development, and I deeply wish to be a part of that.

Having strangers help me realize my dream instills an inner conflict. Of course there is a feeling of gratitude, but I am also a bit uneasy.

I can pay someone back for a loan, but I can never pay someone back for taking a chance on me; for helping me when no one else would.

The least I can do is not squander their gift. I can make sure that their act of kindness will lead me on a path to put me in a position that I may be able to help someone else. I know this is not a guarantee by any means, but the fact that you are willing to try means more than I can say. Thank you for hearing me, thank you for your time, and I wish you the best.