SAC News

How the Ready to Work program gave Onesty Hamilton a new career in law enforcement
The first time Onesty Hamilton enrolled in San Antonio College’s First Responders Academy, she failed out of the program a month before graduation. She had been trying to complete the academy part-time, while still working as a correctional officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It was her experience working with inmates at the prison that inspired her to seek out a new career in the first place. “You get a feel of how it is once they’re already in,” she said, “but I wanted to see what it was like before they get in.” Hamilton wondered what kind of interactions they had with law enforcement before they were incarcerated. “Can you make a difference and turn them on a different path?” she thought to herself. She sought out a program that could train her for a new role in law enforcement, and found the First Responders Academy. She signed up for the 9-month part-time program, and soon after found out about another opportunity: San Antonio’s Ready to Work financial assistance. She received a full scholarship. But when Hamilton failed her coursework, the situation became more complicated. She contacted her Ready to Work case manager, explaining that she wanted to try the program again, full-time, but needed continued financial support. There was money left over from her original scholarship, so Hamilton was able to receive the funds on the condition that she complete the course this time. Still, there were challenges. Hamilton realized she couldn’t balance full-time work—or, she discovered, even part-time work—alongside the full-time academy, and had to give up working so she could focus and make sure she passed. This, of course, presented another financial obstacle. Even with the scholarship, and a supportive husband, who worked hard to make sure she was able to focus on her career journey, Hamilton said her bills were still piling up. Again, Hamilton turned to her Ready to Work case manager, who connected her to the resources she needed. Between Ready to Work and the Student Advocacy Center on campus, she received gas cards, as well as money for food and other bills. Hamilton credits these two programs with allowing her to stay focused in class, and receive the support she needed without having to rely on outside agencies. Fully immersed in the academy, Hamilton learned a wide range of things that she felt would enable her to keep her community safe. The highlight of the course for her was a crisis intervention training, where she learned to effectively communicate with someone during a high-stress situation. All the while, Hamilton was applying to police departments where she might work after graduation, with the hope that one would sponsor and pay her during the academy. She applied to a few departments, but didn’t get any leads. “That’s not where I was destined to be,” she said. When the Alamo Colleges District Police Department recruited her, she decided to give it a shot and apply. She was impressed that, throughout the whole application process, they kept in touch with her frequently. She felt she wasn’t just another number to them. Hamilton graduated from the academy in December, and started her new role as an officer at the ACPD in January. She’s working toward her original goal of keeping people out of the prison system, but she recognizes it will be a long journey but realizes she "won’t be able to save everybody.” In the meantime, she’s become involved in recruiting the next generation. “I just want to share my experience, share my story,” she said. She’s also a strong advocate for taking advantage of the financial assistance available across the Alamo Colleges. “Use the resources. Don’t be too proud,” she said. Whether it was help with food, bills or even mental counseling, Hamilton said she would not have made it through the academy without the support from those resources and her family.
Yarexy Hernandez Finds Purpose and Support at Northwest Vista College
As a high school student, Yarexy Hernandez discovered her passion for math, science, and criminology. Encouraged by her mother’s advice to “dream big,” Yarexy set her sights high and hoped to one day make a meaningful impact as a forensic pathologist for the FBI. Although her future was clear, she knew she’d need the right support to get there. That support came in the form of AlamoPROMISE, a program that covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students across the Alamo Colleges District. When Yarexy learned she qualified, it opened a door to a future she once thought was out of reach. Drawn to the welcoming environment and supportive faculty at Northwest Vista College (NVC), she enrolled in the Associate of Science in Biology program. Today, Yarexy maintains an impressive 3.5 GPA and considers NVC a second home. “AlamoPROMISE gave me the chance to take a bold step toward my future. Coming…to Northwest Vista College…was a big transition, but the support, environment, and opportunities made it possible. As a first-generation college student, this program helped me find a job on campus, build a community and gain the confidence to pursue my dreams of becoming a forensic pathologist for the FBI,” said Yarexy. Beyond academics, Yarexy enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering at the San Antonio Humane Society and is deeply passionate about health and wellness. She also works on campus with the Career Services team, a position made possible through AlamoPROMISE. She considers her experience with Career Services as one of the most impactful parts of her journey. “Their support, encouragement, and guidance have been life changing. They’ve helped me explore possibilities I’ve never imagined and have made me feel heard, seen, and supported every step of the way,” said Yarexy. Her outstanding academic achievements and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed. During the April 2025 Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees meeting, Yarexy was named the AlamoPROMISE student of the month. When receiving her award, she credited NVC and the AlamoPROMISE program for helping her to achieve her dream. “Thank you for building pathways where none existed before and thank you for being the reason so many of us now have the confidence to chase our teams. This is just the beginning and thanks to your support, I step into the future with confidence and purpose,” said Yarexy. After graduation, Yarexy plans to transfer to Sam Houston State University to continue working towards her goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. With the support she’s received from NVC and AlamoPROMISE, she feels prepared to reach her goals.