 While on the waiting list for a tutor, Michele worked 4 days a week, usually 2 hrs at a time, on computer programs such as, Success Maker and MHC interactive. Michele soon completed an application and obtained a library card due to her strong desire to learn and her new appreciation for books. Michele was homeless, among many other barriers, when she started studying at the learning center. Some of those barriers included but are not limited to her poor health, family member’s poor health, family crisis, lack of transportation, lack of phone, lack of food, etc.. She walked in inclement weather many times to study with tutors at the center. None of these things would prevent her from reaching her dream.
Just after a few months of focusing on literacy related to job skills, she obtained her first job. She provided child care for three young children. She gained two more children, soon after, through word of mouth. She was able to be matched with 4 different tutors to prepare for future GED subjects. Each tutor had a specialty. All of these tutors stayed in touch with her even when not meeting to provide support and encouragement.
Through all the hardships, she stayed focused on her future, working with tutors and at the learning center. She obtained another job. She was hired at Lake Land Rehabilitation Center. She was now studying and working two jobs and more determined than ever. She shared how great it was to now be able to help her siblings with homework. She helped her sister study to pass the constitution and helped her little brother understand math for the first time. Michele always asked for homework and would have it completed and eager to go over it with her tutors each session.
Michele felt the program and tutors had given so much to her that she wanted to give back. She attended Quarterly Literacy Advisory Council meetings, participated in a War on Poverty Blog, completed lessons on educational software to provide feedback for the program, and spoke at 2 literacy celebrations (gatherings of learners and tutors where we share stories and successes in the literacy program). Michele’s phone was not in service at the time a message was left for her asking her to speak at the United Way Effingham County presentation regarding her experience with the C.E.F.S. Literacy Program. The coordinator went by her home when she was outside one evening and she said to take her GED and tell her story since she could not be there. She has been a great supporter and spokesperson for the program.
When she came to the program, her goal was to become a preschool teacher. Michele entered the program 06/14/2005 with an 8.2 GLE and by 05/11/2006 she was at an 11.2 GLE. More barriers and set backs occurred in her life but she trudged on and passed her GED on 10/26/2006. She brought the GED in a glass frame to show us at the learning center and says it has been hanging on her family living room wall since the day it arrived.
Michele has three jobs now, her most recent being at a restaurant called Ruby Tuesday’s. She is enrolling in college classes for early child development courses. She has offered to talk to other struggling adult learners. Her desire is to help other adult learners stay motivated and interested in reading and math in order to reach their goals and dreams. She has also offered to keep speaking at any events that might help others take the steps towards enrollment and learning.
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