M.M. grew up in an inner-city neighborhood in Boston. While in utero, M.M. experienced fetal distress while exposed to crack cocaine. As an adolescent, his mother was repeatedly incarcerated due to drug use. Because M.M. never knew his father, he ­transitioned in and out of foster homes, and at times, found himself homeless. Growing up, he also frequently witnessed street crime. Unsurprisingly, M.M. suffered episodic ­depression throughout his youth. Even though M.M. was ultimately provided special education services, he struggled with academics and emotional ­dysregulation. Ultimately, M.M. dropped out of high school. Today, M.M. is in his early 20s, is unemployed, and has several children for whom he lacks the means to support them.

T.T. grew up in a distressed section of North Philadelphia. When T.T. was 10 years old, while lying in his bed, he heard a loud bang in the living room. An unknown ­intruder had broken into his house and shot and killed his father. Following the murder, T.T. began to act out in school and was repeatedly the subject of ­discipline ­including suspensions and efforts at expulsion.

L.R. grew up chronically witnessing ­domestic abuse. Over a period of several years, her mother's boyfriend beat both her and her mom. As a result, L.R.'s family was constantly on the run, moving from town to town to escape the boyfriend. Her education became a refuge for her. But as she advanced through school, the work grew more challenging, and she had difficulty completing the assignments. When she was in high school, her friend's father raped her. Following the rape, she grew disinterested in school and repeatedly failed 11th grade. She is now on the verge of dropping out.

Unfortunately, M.M., T.T. and L.R.'s experiences are not unique.

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