November 06, 2019

Addiction. Prison. Shame. Regret. A few words that describe Jasper Wisdom’s past.

Healing. Purpose. Determination to be all that he can be. Using his past to help others. A few words/statements that describe the U-Turn that has taken place in his life. 

In prison less than a year ago, Jasper decided that he was not going to continue in the same direction after he was released. The turning point for him was when he asked himself the question, “If I tried 110% to be the best person I could be, would the outcome be the same as it is now?” He said that he knew the answer to that question was no and that he was accepting less than what he could be.

After getting out of prison in January, Jasper enrolled in our HSE classes because his #1 goal was to earn his HSE. He said that he knew it wouldn’t be easy for him, but he was determined to get his diploma.

The biggest challenge for Jasper in achieving his HSE was… math. He failed the math test not once, not twice, but three times! That didn’t stop him though; each time he failed, he would return to class and continue working on math with his instructor, Marsha Stowe. He said Marsha helped him believe he could do it, and he knew that she was there to back him up and help him succeed… which he DID succeed at his goal of getting his HSE! Jasper passed his math test in October of 2019; he could have given up for many reasons, but he chose to keep going. 

If you were to talk with Jasper, you would be able to see the bright future ahead of him. Not only did he earn his HSE, but he also became a Professional Recovery Specialist, in which he helps people struggling with addiction and mental illness. Jasper is choosing to use his past for good and to help others. He will be starting college in a couple months and will be working toward a degree in Psychology. 

Jasper, we are so proud of you and excited for your future. Congratulations!!