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I got pregnant when I was
14 and was kicked out of high school for my low attendance. During my
teens, I had no guidance in my life and no motivation to return to high
school. It was not until I turned 20 and was pregnant with my third child
that I realized how hard it would be to support my kids without a high
school diploma. I tried other programs, but I felt like no one there
was on my side. It was important to me to be a better person, not only for
the sake of my children and their future, but also for myself.
When I came to Youth
Employment Institute I was paired up with a case manager who encouraged me
to get my degree. The financial assistance and childcare made it possible
for me to go back to school, but it was the constant moral support that
kept me going. Whenever I would feel like giving up, there would be someone
at YEI telling me 'you can make it, I know you can.' YEI gave me
something no other school that I attended could - guidance and support. YEI
helped me get the education that I needed to achieve my goals.
For two years and one
month, I have worked at Nike as an Apparel Merchandiser. I make the
products more appealing to customers by setting up the store in a special
way. I love what I am doing and I love being part of a team. Youth
Employment Institute helped me find my job and gave me confidence and
skills to succeed. I am proud of the work that I do and of the role model I
can be for my kids.
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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.
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Jimmy Taylor
At 17, I was
picked up by the police for gang activity and I realized my life was going
nowhere. Without a diploma or a job, I had no hope for a future off of the
streets. When I finally took a change and came to YEI, they made me feel as
though I could start fresh, with a totally clean slate. At YEI, I was
treated fairly. They helped me set goals, devise a plan and stick with it.
I spent a year and a half
at YEI. First I was given a summer job to give me my first real work
experience and build my resume. That fall when my job ended, my case
manager suggested that I take some classes and get my GED. Then, to make
sure I would succeed in finding and keeping a permanent job, she
recommended that I take YEI's personal
responsibility classes and computer training.
Six years ago, I left YEI with skills and confidence and
went to work as a shop helper. Today I run the entire shop. YEI literally
helped me build a new life.
Chris Lawrence
YEI's
Work Experience Program is good for helping kids get on track with a job
and life. I was homeless and going nowhere fast. I was getting into trouble
and doing nothing with my life. I was only important to myself until I
heard about this program. At first I thought it wasn't going to help me.
But the teachers and the students here helped my self-esteem - they helped
me feel like I could do something good.
YEI can help with earning
money and finding a job, housing, and daycare. The people here care so much
about me and where I'm going. They are so good at their jobs they
should be called inspiration leaders. They try hard to get us
prepared for life in the real world. I respect YEI very much for helping my
life get started taking care of my family, my son,
and my partner. This place was all I needed to be able to have a family of
my own. I am only 20 years old, but I always wanted a family - something I
never thought I'd have.
I never want to go back
to the way I was before. I really like who I am now and am happy to be a
part of YEI. I hoped I would never have to leave the work program but I
have to give my spot to someone who needs a work experience more then me.
Without these people I wouldn't even be able to write this to you. Thanks.
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