An Introduction - “Letters to P2P: Moving Words, Not Weight”

By, Jessica Snow

​When we share our stories, our steps both forward and backward, our faults and our failures, our success and our triumphs open the door for others to connect with and join us in our journey through all of life’s chapters.  Through speaking engagements and presentations, P2P founder, Dr. Stanley Andrisse, has shared his story with thousands of individuals over time (behind and beyond the wall). But with even greater reach, through the publication of his book, From Prison Cells to PhDs: It’s Never Too Late, Dr. Andrisse’s story has been in the hands of individuals across the globe. 

Frequently, Dr. Andrisse’s words have been able to enter spaces where our bodies and program could not.  In this series, “Letters to P2P,” we have the joy and privilege of sharing with you how his story has impacted the individual lives of others.  For many who can relate to life on the streets and the heavy consequences handed out by the judicial system, it is eye-opening and inspirational to see what is possible when a man with conviction sets on a path to higher education and the place of success, meaning, and impact to which he can ascend despite the stigmas and assumptions set out before him.
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 Readers connect with this journey, and when they reach out to us, we also have the honor of joining in their story, and it is a privilege we don’t take lightly.  We need to hear their stories, and many can identify with multiple chapters from Dr. Andrisse’s book. The responses we have received have been inspired, moving, and excited. Many have shared how reading Dr. Andrisse’s story has made them feel less alone or isolated in their struggles and experiences. They state how through his story, their perceptions of their future have been expanded to include more possibilities and, even more importantly, hope.
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We look forward to sharing these letters with you in the coming weeks in our new series: “Letters to P2P: Moving Words, Not Weight.”