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From Prison to Princeton

A mom of three who spent more than three years in prison is now spending her summer completing an internship at an Ivy League school.

Good Morning America
July 22, 2024
Categories: News/Press, Programs, Success Stories, Tennessee

Date: July 3, 2024 | Source: Good Morning America

A mom of three who spent over three years in prison is now completing an internship at an Ivy League school.

Mary McCrary, 40, credits her transformation to a coding class through Persevere, which led her to Princeton University.

“The class made me feel human again, with a goal in sight, and I accomplished it,” Mary shared.

Persevere empowers justice-impacted individuals through tech education, helping them break cycles of poverty and incarceration.

Watch her viral story below and join us in creating more success stories like Mary’s!

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P.S. Don’t miss another inspiring video of Mary’s journey—watch it here!

Good Morning America
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Give Hope and Skills Today

For as little as $25 a month you can support Persevere's educational programs giving justice-impacted individuals tangible skills in coding.

Join Us

Breaking Cycles. Building Leaders. Celebrating Our Remarkable Woman of the Year.

April 3, 2025

At Persevere, we believe that second chances don’t just change lives—they shape leaders who go on to uplift others. And today, we are thrilled to celebrate one of those leaders: Stacey Books, our incredible Director of Programs, who was just named Nexstar’s 2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year!

A Program That Transforms Youth, Strengthens Families, and Builds Confidence

March 20, 2025

With Persevere Tennessee, we want to celebrate the incredible transformation of youth, their parents, and the greater families within their communities. See what two staff members involved in our Families First program have to say among the graduation of the Families First Youth Class of 2024.

Coding Courage: Empowering Florida Women at Lowell Correctional

January 31, 2025

On December 6, 2024, at Lowell Correctional in Florida, fifteen women graduated from a rigorous full-stack web development program. Dubbed “Coding Courage: Florida’s Path to Transformation at Lowell Correctional,” their achievement marks a powerful journey from confinement to empowerment.

Persevere In the News: New program called ‘Persevere’ gives Mass. inmates critical computer coding skills

January 17, 2025

GARDNER, Mass. — Inside the barbed wire walls of NCCI Gardner, a small group of inmates is taking advantage of a new initiative that could change their lives

It’s called “Persevere,” and it’s teaching web-building skills to inmates like Alejandro Queiroz-Santana.

Power to Change: Red Rock AZ Graduation

January 16, 2025

The power to change starts right now. It’s not waiting for you on the outside. Pain and adversity don’t automatically produce growth—it’s how we respond during those hard times that defines us. This certificate isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s proof that we chose potential over limitations.” – Adrian Ruiz, Red Rock Graduate

Persevere in the News: Inagural Graduation at Wakaulla Correctional in Florida

December 16, 2024

WCI in Florida hosted a ceremony for the first graduating class of the Persevere Program at the facility, handing inmates a diploma and a second chance at a better life.