My name is Jenifer.  I have had to overcome a tremendous amount of obstacles in my life to be where I am today.

Being a product of a teenage pregnancy and the resentment that followed, from my mother, set the tone for my early years.  My mother blamed me for “ending her life” just as I was beginning mine.  Situations in my life went from bad to worse and I suffered emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from family members.

I felt isolated, depressed, and angry.  These feelings led to years of wrong choices---from fighting in school and facing repeated suspensions, eventually dropping out of high school, and becoming involved in unstable and often tragic relationships.

As I matured, I became stronger and wiser and instead of fighting with others, I began to fight the demons of my past.  I realized that I needed to overcome what had happened to me in childhood and prove to myself and others that I am worth something.

I am now living in a healthy, loving family relationship and want to move on further.
A pivotal moment in my transformation was when I wrote a letter to my abuser and let all my feelings be known.  This act was a way for me to declare openly facts about the past—an act I deemed necessary for me to move on with my future.

The next step led me to the YWCA with the goal of earning a GED.  Learning about the YWCA Adult Education Program from a friend, and encouraged by my family I made the first call and came to enroll.  My biggest fear was failure, that the opinion I had of myself growing up would be proved true, that I was worthless and stupid. I was hesitant, but armed with a new self-respect, I decided that I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.

I proved to myself and others that I am smart, and I’m proud to say that through the YWCA Adult Education Program, I earned my GED.  I passed the exam a very high score of 626.  

I have applied and been accepted at Nashville State Community College.  My passion is  science and I  will begin to study for a career in bio-technology. My plan is to earn a 2 - year associate degree there, and then go on to TSU and complete a 4- year degree, and I don’t want to stop there.

My motivation "to get started" is high.  I enrolled for summer session at Nashville State Community College, and registered for classes.

However, I’ve recently had a setback.  I have been diagnosed with a heart problem which  requires attention and have to delay  my start at college until the fall semester.   

I won’t let this obstacle sway me from my goals.
With the encouragement and support of the YWCA, I am determined to make my dreams a reality.

Thank you.