Student Spotlight: Crystal
May 19 2021
“School was hard for me because I was the shy kid everyone liked to pick on...I let people bully me to the point I did not want to go...
The Literacy Alliance offices will be closed, and no classes will be held from Tuesday, December 24, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Regular office hours and Project Graduate (GED/HSE) classes will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Project Connect (ELL) classes will restart on Monday, January 6, 2025. From our families to yours, have a safe and joyful holiday season!
My name is Sabrina, and I am a single mother of two children. I am in the process of restarting my life to provide for my children and myself. I have been through many traumatic events that have shaped me into the person I am today. They have also brought me here, and I am more thankful.
At a young age, I had been introduced to sex, drugs, and other traumatic experiences that have taken a toll on my life. As a teenager, I became the main provider for three younger kids in the household. My mother was always working at least three jobs to support us. She was a single mother of four, and my father had been in and out of the picture. Due to the absence of both my mother and father, I resorted to boys for attention. I had also gotten into many fights, and I started using drugs. At 14 years old, I had an abortion that took a piece out of me, impacting me today. Then I became pregnant again at the age of 16. Going to school became difficult, and I was on bed rest the last months of my pregnancy, so I decided to drop out.
“…my life has encountered so many obstacles. As a result, I have become stronger and able to provide for my family. ”
When I turned 18, I became an exotic dancer because my logic saw that it was a way of making fast money. I had to move out and struggled financially. I bounced from being a dancer to getting my CNA (Certified Nursing Aide) license and started working with the elderly. I also acquired my HHA soon after working in-home health care. I changed my perspective of both my internal values and my external environment. It became a very positive influence in my life, and I enjoyed it for five years. I had my son at age 26. Taking care of him was exceedingly challenging from the time he was born. My family and I recently found out he has autism which has given him a very challenging mental and physical state.
In conclusion, my life has encountered so many obstacles. As a result, I have become stronger and able to provide for my family. My life has not been easy, but I have made it through 100% of my worst days so far.
My goal after gaining my HSE is to further my education in the medical field. I want to be successful, take care of my family, and give my son any extra assistance.
May 19 2021
“School was hard for me because I was the shy kid everyone liked to pick on...I let people bully me to the point I did not want to go...
May 10 2021
Tom has been a one-on-one tutor at The Literacy Alliance since mid-2020. He is passionate about our mission and likes...