Staff photo by Fritz Busch Ulises Valdez of Mankato tells how he found clear direction in life after being raised by a single parent, serving federal prison time for a drug conviction before graduating form Minnesota State University, Mankato 18 months ago. Majoring in Communication Studies, Valdez talked about finding purpose in life with transitional education programs and going street outreach at the South Central Minnesota Mental Health Conference in Sleepy Eye Wednesday.

SLEEPY EYE — Ulises Valdez grew up in a shack without running water in near the Texas-Mexican border. A community of shacks in McAllen, Tx shared an outhouse.

“My parents weren’t U. S. citizens. My mom had a visa and traveled to the U.S. My dad didn’t. I didn’t see my dad after my mom moved us to Texas when I was three,” he said at the South Central Minnesota Mental Health Conference Wednesday.

“My uncle was the guy (President) Trump warns us about. He’d come to our shack in drug-induced, psychotic anger, threatening to kill my mom. My grandma locked us in a bathroom while my mom tried to calm him down. She’d tell me to run and call police at a pay phone. Police came and arrested him. It was not easy. He was a large man,” said Valdez.

He had few models growing up until he was moved by a couple of his Madelia High School teachers.

“Some teachers were awesome. They were loving, caring people who told me I had potential. One teacher, Jackie Arnold, was an awesome English teacher. She was my savior. She cared. She later taught at MSU, Mankato. When I graduated from MSU, she was there,” said Valdez.

In his senior high school year, Valdez spent nights in the county jail.

After series of bad choices, he spent nine years in federal prison on drug conspiracy charges involving a large shipment of drugs from Mexico to Chicago that was busted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“After being surrounded by gang members in prison, I started talking to my cellmate who was a blessing. We rediscovered our faith. I took education courses, read many books, played guitar in a prison concert got worked as a Spanish tutor. I became known as the professor.”

Released from prison in 2015, Valdez worked as a fitness club manager and graduated with high honors with an associate degree from Century College in White Bear Lake.

Valdez graduated from Minnesota State University, majoring in Communications Studies 18 months ago. He gave a commencement speech for the College of Humanities and Social Science about turning his life around. Valdez hugging Arnold afterwards.

He started a business, Trinity Tree Services and continues to has work for 2nd Opportunity, a non-profit organization that provides transformational tools, courses, resources and support to those dealing with incarceration, substance abuse, trauma and other setbacks.

Valdez said he enjoys doing faith-based, missionary outreach because he finds fulfillment in helping mentoring a variety of people, from at-risk youth to incarcerated individuals.

“I enjoy talking to people that are where I was and helping them. God gave me a heart to help those who hurt. I’ve found peace and strength form Jesus’ words to go to dark places, listen to and talk to people. There are many people out there hurting, but they’re good people inside,” he said.