Student Spotlight: Jhenna

My name is Jhenna; I am a mother of 3 terrific boys. My oldest just turned 20-years-old this month. I have been happily married for 15 years. I have been sober for 33 months. The Jhenna I am today is a long way from the Jhenna I was just a few short years ago.

To say I had a traumatic childhood would be an understatement. At 16, I became a mother. By the time I was 17, I was on my own with my child. I always loved school and was disappointed when I had to drop out after my son was born, but I couldn’t afford a babysitter for both work and school. In addition to other obstacles, I am bipolar, have ADHD and PTSD. Five years ago, I tried to kill myself and almost succeeded. I was intubated and hospitalized. When I woke up, I decided that wasn’t who I was meant to be.

“To anyone wanting to get their HSE, if you are scared, believe me, call The Literacy Alliance; it is worth it.”

Last year I obtained my driver’s license for the first time in my life and then was determined to see if I could get my high school equivalency diploma. That’s when I saw a story on the news about The Literacy Alliance and decided to check it out. Calling TLA that day has been the best decision I have ever made. The people at The Literacy Alliance were so kind and free of judgment. I cannot express how much I enjoyed my time there. I know I couldn’t have made it without their help. The teachers and tutors all worked so well with me. Today, with my diploma in hand, I am proud to say I have finally completed one of my life’s dreams. To anyone wanting to get their HSE, if you are scared, believe me, call The Literacy Alliance; it is worth it.

I have recently been accepted at Ivy Tech and start in January. I am enrolled in the culinary arts program and will fulfill another lifelong goal. I am forever grateful to The Literacy Alliance; TLA helped me obtain my HSE diploma and has given me the confidence to follow my deepest dreams and goals.