"The Ged preparation classes are making me feel confident."
Shinque is a 32 year old single mom and is currently a student in our GED program. She is working hard to be able to pass the exam.
"The GED preparation classes are making me feel confident," explained Shinque. "I had taken the test before but my YWCA teacher makes me feel confident and understand that no question is dumb. My self-esteem is much higher," she concluded.
"I wasn't going to graduate from high school so this GED helped me get a job..."
Rio's father is from Mexico and his mother is from the UK. He was born in England and came to the US at the age of 12. He didn't do well in high school and found himself still in 9th grade at the age of 17. He could not see himself there for 4 more years, so he left high school. He came to the YWCA program where he earned his GED. He is now working at a coffee shop with plans to go on to college and study business.
"I wasn't going to graduate from high school so this GED helped me get a job so I can save money to go to college," explained Rio. "I plan on going to a two year tech school and then on to a regular college to get my degree," Rio concluded.
"The GED preparation class helped me find a job."
Sandra was born in Bogota, Columbia and came to the US in 2006. Sandra wanted to improve her reading, math and language skills in order to be able to get a job. She enrolled in January and improved her language skills 3 grade levels. Sandra was able to pass a required exam to be hired at Macy's Department Store as a sales associate. Sandy remains in our program and is continuing to advance toward her GED.
"The GED preparation class helped me find a job. I've also improved my English and sharpened my mind in math, reading and other subjects," noted Sandra.
"YWCA GED preparation has been like a form of mentorship for me"
David is 20 years old and he enrolled with the YWCA in March and took his GED test in May. David earned a GED and scored a high score of 570. David is interested in the field of music and is working in the music industry. He plans to further his education, and his score of 570 on the GED qualifies him for the Hope Lottery Scholarship.
"YWCA GED preparation has been like a form of mentorship for me. It is set up to help you with the specific things that you need to improve on before you take the test," explained David. "It is a great opportunity for someone who didn't graduate from high school. It prepares you for higher education so you can go to college or right into the work force," he concluded.
"I proved to myself and others that I am smart"
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.
To read more of Jenifer's story, please click here.
"I will not be a statistic"
My name is Tamika. I had what you would call an unstable family life growing up. My mother was on drugs and had little time or interest in me. Tamika, the little girl, was sad. Tamika, the teenager was angry----Angry at the mother who spent all her money and life on drugs, even selling my new school clothes for drug money.
To read more of Tamika's Story, please click here.
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