I have always been one to speak my mind, and at first I didn't always agree with the staff and the requirements of the family literacy program. However, once I settled in and knew what I wanted to do, I realized how much the staff cared about me and my children. With their help, I began to set goals for my daughters and myself. As I became a more dedicated student, they would often ask me to help motivate other students.

My first step was acquiring a GED. After three tries, I finally passed that test in 1999. I did not give up, because I am stubborn, and the Lewis and Clark Family Connection staff taught me to use that to my advantage.

But that was only the beginning. Now I am a regular college student. I stay involved with my daughters' education too.

I carefully monitor their progress and seek help for them whenever they need it. I want them to know how important education is and not have to learn it the hard way like I did. Meanwhile, Tanesha just finished sixth grade and Tykisha has finished third grade. I learned from my teachers and other staff at the Family Connection Center how important it is to keep my daughters doing interesting things during the summer school break. One of the things we do is go to the library to enroll in the programs they offer for the girls. A lot of moms look at this time of year as a time to sleep in, but I do not.

I learned in Lewis and Clark's adult education classes how important it is to set goals, and I have become very good at setting them and doing what I need to do to accomplish them. For example, my daughters and I were living in one of the housing projects in Alton and I wanted my daughters to grow up in a safer and better place. We now live in a nice apartment where my girls can play outside, and we do not have to be afraid. I have learned to be very responsible with my money. I think ahead to what our needs are going to be. During the summer, I start saving for Christmas gifts for my girls.

I have worked a variety of jobs, mostly in security, but currently as a bus monitor on a school bus route. Thankfully, I also receive PELL grants so that I can afford to go to school. For more than a year I was working night shifts at one of the Hartford refineries during the week and then driving to Belleville for another job on weekends. I got tired of driving and having to leave my girls with sitters more often than I would like, so I decided to get serious about studying criminal justice. I have finished four semesters and am more than halfway to my degree. I hope to finish by next spring. My goal is to become a parole officer. I want to work with juvenile delinquents. There could be some pretty emotional cases, but I can deal with that. I would like to be able to offer support to young people who have made some bad choices, just like the support I got when I needed it.

Enrolling in the Family Connection Program and getting my GED were the keys to everything I have accomplished since.

I have continued my relationship with the staff at the Family Connection Center. They are always telling me how proud they are of me. They say they have watched me mature through the years. One of my former teachers and I have an agreement that she is going to come to my graduation from Lewis and Clark, and also to my daughters' high school graduations. I am committed to my part of that agreement. And I know she will be there for me then, just as she and the other staff have been there for me in the past.

- Sharon Brown

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