The Youth Employment Institute offered me a second chance. While most of my junior high friends went on to high school, I stayed home to take care of my baby. Even if I had wanted to continue with school, my parents were never around to help with day care, give me a ride or help me pay for food or bus fare – it would have been impossible. I knew I had to be responsible for my child, but without an education or a job, how would I support her? When I heard that YEI had day care, I decided it was time to try school again.

When I first started taking classes to get my GED at YEI, I began planning for the future for the first time. The financial aid I received from Youth Employment Institute was enough to get my daughter and me to school every day and help me pay the rent when I was broke.

I passed my GED and YEI helped me find an internship at Albina Community Bank. My Spanish speaking was highly valued because it allowed me to work with Latino customers that don’t speak English. After my internship ended, I was hired into a permanent position. I’ve now been working at Albina Bank for four years and I no longer worry about supporting my daughter.