Benny's LBJ tuition
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Benny dropped out of school in the seventh grade, never attended high school, yet he graduated from college with honors. Now he needs your help. He has been accepted to UT’s graduate program at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. And he needs tuition assistance.
As a child, Benny never had a stable home. While both of his parents were in and out of prison on drug charges, Benny was shifted around to different relatives. When Benny was 12 years old, a neighborhood drug dealer noticed Benny was sleeping in a car and had dropped out of school. He offered Benny a place to stay. Benny appreciated a roof over his head, and he wanted to repay the kindness, He started helping around the house. Unfortunately, many of the household tasks revolved around drug dealing. Benny used his new skills to support himself. By the age of 13 he had his own apartment and car.
Benny had many successes. He introduced Bill Clinton in a White House ceremony on signing the Workforce Investment Act. He worked with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to sponsor a UN resolution to abolish the death penalty for juveniles. He was honored by the mayor of Houston with "Benny Hernandez Day" on Aug 18, 1998 to recognize Benny's advocacy for gang intervention and after-school programs.
However, ultimately Benny was incarcerated as a result of his drug use. In December 2020, Benny completed all ten years of a ten-year sentence. He spent his time behind bars planning a career to change the criminal justice/political system and earning a college degree – with honors! His hard work, intelligence, and determination to become a better person have been recognized by the LBJ School. Benny knows that education is the key to a successful life. Please contribute to his tuition fund.
As a child, Benny never had a stable home. While both of his parents were in and out of prison on drug charges, Benny was shifted around to different relatives. When Benny was 12 years old, a neighborhood drug dealer noticed Benny was sleeping in a car and had dropped out of school. He offered Benny a place to stay. Benny appreciated a roof over his head, and he wanted to repay the kindness, He started helping around the house. Unfortunately, many of the household tasks revolved around drug dealing. Benny used his new skills to support himself. By the age of 13 he had his own apartment and car.
Benny had many successes. He introduced Bill Clinton in a White House ceremony on signing the Workforce Investment Act. He worked with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to sponsor a UN resolution to abolish the death penalty for juveniles. He was honored by the mayor of Houston with "Benny Hernandez Day" on Aug 18, 1998 to recognize Benny's advocacy for gang intervention and after-school programs.
However, ultimately Benny was incarcerated as a result of his drug use. In December 2020, Benny completed all ten years of a ten-year sentence. He spent his time behind bars planning a career to change the criminal justice/political system and earning a college degree – with honors! His hard work, intelligence, and determination to become a better person have been recognized by the LBJ School. Benny knows that education is the key to a successful life. Please contribute to his tuition fund.
Organizer
LaVelle Franklin
Organizer
Austin, TX
