My name is Bobbi Stephenson, I am 50 years old, the mother of two young boys, and a homeowner residing in Fargo, North Dakota. When COVID-19 took over our world, I was laid off from my career as Membership Manager at Prairie Pubic Broadcasting (North Dakota’s PBS television and NPR radio stations). I was employed there for 5 1/2 years and received many accolades for my work. I was very passionate about my job and the services public broadcasting provides to our communities.
When I left Prairie Public in May 2023, I reacted out of fear and desperation. As a single mother with a duplex to manage and pay for, I chose to make the worst decision of my life and got involved in selling methamphetamine to supplement my unemployment income. I did not know about any stimulus funds at that time. Regardless of the circumstances, I had a choice and I made the wrong one. I caused so much pain and suffering to my children and have been doing everything I can to atone for my mistakes. I also realize just how much my bad decision affected my community and everything I value.
Since the day I was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, I was determined not to let this experience break me. I know I came in as a good person and am determined to leave an even better one. It’s kind of ironic I was asked to facilitate the Preparing for Success After Prison program because as it turns out, I was already doing all of the things Michael Santos teaches and I have similar mentors such as Steven Covey and Zig ZIglar! I have kept a positive attitude and faced many challenges during my incarceration. I have opened doors where they were once closed, and I have found a way to overcome every challenge thus far. This experience has been a very spiritual journey for me and I have come to know God in a way I never knew of before. I have matured in my relationship with Christ and I have humbled myself. I hit the ground running as soon as I was taken into custody and made a commitment to be the best parent I can be from where I am at, and I am building my support network around my children. By doing this, I have also gained support and continue to make decisions that have my children’s best interests at heart. I am working on hiring a property management company to take over the operation of my duplex and turn it into an income-producing property. With the income generated from my rental, I plan to relocate to Minnesota and have enough money saved for a down payment on a property for myself and my boys upon my release. I hope to accomplish this in one year. I have a support network I’m building around my finances stemming from my friend and previous employer who has gone through this journey with me. I have focused on participating in programs that address my needs and put 110% effort into everything I do. The books I read are deliberate and I have started writing book reports. I plan to take full advantage of the Pell Grant that is now available to prisoners and any other financial resources I might qualify for, to start working towards a college degree by the end of December 2023.
As I mentioned before, I was asked by the Associate Warden, Mr. McIntosh if I would be interested in facilitating the Preparing for Success After Prison program when I approached Warden Segal at mainline shortly after my arrival here at FCI-Waseca, asking how I could obtain access to Mr. Santos’ books. I was fortunate enough to attend Michael’s speech at my facility in March 2023, and was I very impressed, inspired, and full of hope. My 15-week class ended and we were all awarded very nice certificates by Ms. Konz, one of our teachers in the Education Department. I was given the honor of signing those certificates and was given a standing ovation for my effort in the classroom. I was honored and empowered by God to deliver His message and Mr. Santos’s message. I feel the class was a success! I am now a full-time tutor in the GED science, social studies, and language arts classroom and have been asked to write a curriculum around the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People book by Stephen Covey! I have taken the Accuplacer exam and scored high but unfortunately had to turn down the Cosmetology program I interviewed for because I cannot participate in RDAP at the same time. I am currently awaiting placement in the RDAP program with the hope of starting in February 2024. I have also expressed interest in the Suicide Watch program and was placed on the application list and doesn’t interfere with the requirements of RDAP.
Sincerely,
Bobbi Stephenson
