Student Spotlight: Nikki

Meet Nikki

I will start by introducing myself. My name is Nikki, and I am a graduate of The Literacy Alliance. I am excited to share my journey, hoping to be someone’s motivation.

I was a pregnant high school dropout in foster care when I was 17. I was forced into a program that did not meet my educational needs, nor was I getting anywhere with it. I felt defeated and quit school for a second time.

I ended up working dead-end and unfulfilled jobs to make ends meet. Each job was the same, long hours, off shifts, and I had no time to spend with my young son. It was time to make a change for a better life for me and my son. That’s when I enrolled myself in The Literacy Alliance high school completion program.

Without this program, I probably would still be working a dead-end job with no future in sight, and I am truly grateful.

I started classes shortly after enrolling in February 2016, going every Tuesday and Thursday evening with my toddler in tow. The teaching staff and volunteers were always helpful and very friendly. They never made you feel less of a person for not knowing the right answers. By May 2016, I took my high school equivalency test and passed it! I was so amazed that completing the program only took two months.

With my diploma, it was a perfect opportunity to explore my career choice. I am now a relationship banker with Old National Bank. I am also a proud homeowner with my husband and two beautiful children. I feel that my current life would not be possible without the help of the wonderful people at The Literacy Alliance. Without this program, I probably would still be working a dead-end job with no future in sight, and I am truly grateful.