My name is Ricky Chauncey-Edmonds I am a 22-year-old African American from Queensbridge houses in New York City, The largest public housing development in the United States of America. I grew up getting in a small amount of trouble here and there but nothing really big and I had a strong support system behind me. I was one of the few kids in my community to actually make it out of the neighborhood and go away to college.
During my freshman year of college I played around a lot partied too much and got in trouble with the law. I was in a fight and was pulled back and struck by a police officer. I retaliated and it meant I had to leave school for the incident. Since then I have wandered around looking for a purpose with the idea in the back of my head that someday I would return to school and get a degree. When I think about that someday it keeps getting more and more further away and harder to get to.
I was given the opportunity to work in Maryland as a Correctional officer and was too afraid to move away from my comfortable surroundings to take that leap. I look back at that now and regret that my fear of the unknown stopped me from moving up and away from my current life.
I feel this opportunity is just what I need to jumpstart my life back to productivity. I spoke to Luany Viera a co-worker of mine about the experience he had last year and the amazing time he had. I know I can accomplish the goal at hand and would love to do it with you.
This trip will be a huge benefit for me I believe that I can bring a different dynamic to the trip. I am at the turning point of my life. I have made some good choices over the past year and a half and I am ready and willing to take a leap forward. I feel this trip could be that leap that helps me break into the new me.
