"Having been through the experience of having lost all that I held dear, I found myself on the streets of Orlando.  My dreams had been shattered and my direction in life appeared to be little more than a random and sensless result of vanity.

In October 2002, I was fortunate enough to attend the first session of the Clemente Course in the Humanities.  This project, sponsored by Valencia Community College, has turned my life around.  The three most noticable changes are:  an increase of self-worth, a more open sense of the interconnectedness with my fellow man, and a return to obtain my degree.

This program has unlimited potential to empower individuals to return to old dreams and to be bold enought to create new ones.  It is for this reason that I would humbly ask any and all who have the ability to assist in the mission of continuing this oprogram to do so.  The book Riches for the Poor by Earl Shorris, outlines what this class can do; I have benefitted from doing it.

After having unlocked the "sleeping student within," I have gone on to attend Valencia Community College on a full-time basis.  Carrying fourteen credits, I am still able to score A's and B's in my classes.  This only goes to show indeed that "Knowledge is Power".

I therefore implore you to assist us in keeping this program going so that others like myself can journey from the pit of despair to the mountain top of enlightenment."     

Stephen B. Davis          

"I was encouraged (as a result of The Clemente Course) to go onoine to research Socrates, Antigone, Sojourner Truth, and Zora.  I also attended the Zora Neale Festival of the Arts for the first time.  (In Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave') you are just locked inside of a cave, but when you realize a way out of the bondage you've been in , there's a new way out (of) the door."

Alfreda Huntington          

"The Clemente Course gave me an appreciation (of) the beautiful things in life.  Now I love to read and go to art museums.  I was impressed that people with so much education came down and talked with us.  It restores your faith in humanity.  Socrates' Allegory of the Cave' opened my eyes.  It empower you (and it helps you) to understand your own value system.  We learned that material things don't necessarily lead to fulfillment.  My daughter's own self-esteem grew as she became aware of what I was learning in class.  As a result of this class, I'm more tolerant of other people's views. I communicate more and try to understand what they've been through.  The greatest thinkers were not afraid to go out there into their 'dark night'.  They must have had a very strong core.  I've started writing again with the intent of getting published.  One day I would like to be a college professor.

Juli Dixon          

"When I was a little girl, people said I couldn't amount to nothing.  This is my last night of the Clemente Course and I achieve something.  I've been living on the street off and on for 11 years.  I'm learning how to regroup my life."

Cindy Meyer         

"I have this ability, why haven't I been using it?  By November, I was in line to sign up for classes [at Valencia]."

Stephen B. Davis         

 "I'd like to go to college."

Kevin Witter