hear their stories
For many, this will be the first prom of their lives. Hear directly from our community on what
“A Night of Freedom Under the Stars,” means for them.
Meet Bianca, or “B.”
B got pregnant and had to drop out of school at the age of 16. As 21, she was incarcerated for 7 years.
She never got the chance to experience prom, but that doesn’t stop her from being proud of who she is today and being the mother she needs to be for her kids.
Meet Yamiley, or “Yammie”
Yammie went to prison at the age of 17. She was incarcerated for 13 years.
She never got the chance to go to prom.
A Night of Freedom to Yammie is a night where she’s having fun with her friends: Not having to worry about someone watching her to see if she talked to the wrong person, went in the wrong area or took the wrong picture.
That’s what she looked forward to at “A Night of Freedom Under the Stars.”
Meet Tim Deal.
Tim was incarcerated at the age of 17. He spent 20 years in prison, and never got the chance to go to prom.
Tim has no regrets living his life as a young-spirited adult. Shortly after he was released, he bought the parrot he always wanted and named him “Bird” after his father.
Meet Nurudeen.
Nurudeen was incarcerated at the age of 17 and served 15 years in prison. He never got the chance to go to prom.
But he lives with the saying, “Just because you served time, doesn’t mean you don’t have time,” and says it’s never too late to experience the things you need to complete the missing pieces of your life.
Meet Jovon.
Jovon was incarcerated at the age of 17 and went to prison for nine years.
He never went to prom, but he’s happy his friends and family did in his place. Now, he’s ready for his time to shine and look ‘saucy’ on the dance floor.
What does tpp mean to you?
Kaleb Foster (18), Rocio Lopez (North Suffolk Community Services),
Ruth Rollins (Executive Director of WAB2G), Thomas Koonce (Director of Violence and Prevention at Center for Teen Empowerment) and Nichelle Sadler (Executive Director of UTEC) describe what the Transformational Prison Project means to them.