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.

I couldn’t deal with it all---the drugs, the kids making fun of me for wearing the same clothes almost every day.  I fought with my mom, kids at school, everyone.   I was angry on the outside, but I was really hurting on the inside.  After repeated episodes of fighting, I was expelled from school,

Being at home more now was even more unbearable for me, and eventually I was put in to state’s custody.   What sounds like something terrible, was really a benefit to me.  I lived in a group home, but it was a home.  I didn’t get into trouble there.  I got a part- time job.  I wasn’t acting out in anger anymore because I had hope---hope for a future.

At 18, I was declared an adult and on my own .  Since then, I have taken care of myself by working at whatever jobs I could find.

When I became a single mom, my responsibilities grew but my paycheck didn’t. I could not see a future anymore.  I became depressed and could begin to understand how and why my mother turned to drugs.  When you can’ t fix everything in your life, when you can’t fix any thing, you want to give up.   I almost did give up like so many of my family and friends did. But something inside me, kept me determined to give my child a better life.

I knew without a high school diploma, there wasn’t much out there for me. So getting a GED would be a necessary first step to change the direction of my life.  Seeing a sign about free GED classes at the YWCA set the wheels in motion.  I called and took a first step in a new direction.
 
I began class in November.  I attended every day and studied hard at home and took my test on Feb 21, 2008.  I’m happy to report that I passed.  I earned my GED.  I earned more than that.

My GED teacher tells me that I am a strong, determined, positive, intelligent woman.  Earning my GED has given me the confidence to believe it too.

I will not be a statistic.  I can not change my past but I can and will change my  future.

I am currently enrolled in computer classes and will be ready to look for a new job and a new way of life this summer.

Thank you YW for giving me the opportunity to be someone---Someone who matters.  Thank you.