Ashton was born in Maryland but moved to Warren, OH at a young age. They moved in with his grandmother until he and his mom could find a place of their own. He spent his days playing a lot of sports with his friends in the streets of the city.
“At the age of 16 my mother was murdered so I kind of turned to the streets a little more. I mean that’s your life,” he said. “The streets of the West side were full of violence and drugs.”
But Ashton always knew that he was full of potential and wanted more for his life, so he decided to get help. Several years ago Ashton came to ATCOV and stayed for 11 months. He decided to leave just short of graduation and headed back into the streets. “Yeah, I went back to the same thing– females and got selling drugs again eventually.”
After some time Ashton knew he needed to return to the center by his own choice. He was then court-ordered to complete the program.
Ashton is a father to four children and knew that he needed to change, not only for himself but for them. “I just know that I ain’t gonna get nowhere doing the same thing I was doing. I just know that I can’t live like that anymore.”
Ashton says that he has learned to be humble and adapt to the circumstances around him. Yes his faith has been tested here. But now he knows, “All things work together for good to them that love God and called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Ashton is looking forward to what life holds after graduation. As a gifted writer, he has written 10 books and has aspirations of getting them published. Even turning them into movie scripts has crossed his mind, but in the meantime, he looks forward to being a great dad to his kids and making his mom very proud of the man he’s become.
