Last week, nearly two dozen women at Perryville Prison in Goodyear, AZ walked with purpose — and diplomas. They were the latest graduates of the Career PATHS program, a partnership with the Televerde Foundation that lets incarcerated women earn college credit through Arizona State University.
A second chance, stitched in a cap and gown.
Their months of study ended not with a final exam, but a pitch — a capstone project straight out of the popular television show Shark Tank. One by one, the women stood before a panel of judges and pitched ideas.
According to 11Alive.com, this group had multiple business ideas, including a fintech security company, an event planning business, a company that makes therapeutic AI teddy bears, and a company that helps reunite children with their incarcerated parents.
“I wanted them to know the passion behind our company,” said Jennifer Drown. “Each one of us had a personal story that led us to our motivation and our passion.”
Drown was with the team behind the AI teddy bear, designed to help children through trauma. Her motivation is her son.
“I never thought I’d be a college student,” she said. “I really want to go back to school and get a degree.”
“This program is really a rebirth for me,” said Maricell Vega. “Because I have lost myself, and I’ve been lost for so long that the real me was almost non-existent.”
Career PATHS is worth six college credits, according to the teacher, ASU professor Julia LaRosa. She sat in on the presentation, often wiping away tears.
Watch the story below:
