My name is Allyssa Gwyn. I am 27 with a 6 year old daughter who is in first grade. My biggest motivation for furthering my education as a mother is so I can provide for my daughter and future children better than I was raised. Growing up my mother had a steady job, but she didn’t bring home much because she didn’t have an education. My mother was a single mom who got pregnant at 16 and only has an 8th grade education due to a family move during the 9th grade which ultimately led to her not finishing her education. We were the poor family all growing up. I’m also the first in my family for several generations to graduate high school and attend college. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree. I am now going back to obtain my Human Services Bachelor’s degree so that I can progress up the ladder with my employer. I currently work as a Career Counselor in which I help the public look for jobs or attend training so that they can gain better skills. I’ve been here for 4 years now, and I love it. I never thought this kind of career would be for me, but I’m going into my 5th year. My biggest challenge is financial. I am responsible for all the bills including groceries as I do not qualify for any assistance. I also have to pay daycare each week so that my daughter has a safe location to go to after school until I get off work. I had a large savings account, but due to rising issues in my life, that savings is gone. In November of 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy in January 2021 with reconstructive surgery in July 2021. I am still paying my hospital bills from that procedure. I also had to replace my roof due to it beginning to leak when it rained. My oncologist said that being overweight would increase my cancer reoccurrence and so I opted to save up money and pay for the Gastric Bypass surgery July of 2022. These last 2 years have been a wild rollercoaster, but I am ready for my adventure. My goal in life is to be the best mother that I can be and be present for my daughter. I have limited financial assistance left via Pell Grant, and being able to complete my education without debt would be a huge blessing. My only desire is to move up the ladder in my current field as I love what I do. I have help numerous locals gain employment skills in order to become successfully employed.

My name is Allyssa Gwyn. I am 27 with a 6 year old daughter who is in first grade. My biggest motivation for furthering my education as a mother is so I can provide for my daughter and future children better than I was raised. Growing up my mother had a steady job, but she didn’t bring home much because she didn’t have an education. My mother was a single mom who got pregnant at 16 and only has an 8th grade education due to a family move during the 9th grade which ultimately led to her not finishing her education. We were the poor family all growing up. I’m also the first in my family for several generations to graduate high school and attend college. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree. I am now going back to obtain my Human Services Bachelor’s degree so that I can progress up the ladder with my employer. I currently work as a Career Counselor in which I help the public look for jobs or attend training so that they can gain better skills. I’ve been here for 4 years now, and I love it. I never thought this kind of career would be for me, but I’m going into my 5th year. My biggest challenge is financial. I am responsible for all the bills including groceries as I do not qualify for any assistance. I also have to pay daycare each week so that my daughter has a safe location to go to after school until I get off work. I had a large savings account, but due to rising issues in my life, that savings is gone. In November of 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy in January 2021 with reconstructive surgery in July 2021. I am still paying my hospital bills from that procedure. I also had to replace my roof due to it beginning to leak when it rained. My oncologist said that being overweight would increase my cancer reoccurrence and so I opted to save up money and pay for the Gastric Bypass surgery July of 2022. These last 2 years have been a wild rollercoaster, but I am ready for my adventure. My goal in life is to be the best mother that I can be and be present for my daughter. I have limited financial assistance left via Pell Grant, and being able to complete my education without debt would be a huge blessing. My only desire is to move up the ladder in my current field as I love what I do. I have help numerous locals gain employment skills in order to become successfully employed.

My biggest motivation for furthering my education as a mother is so I can provide for my daughter and future children better than I was raised. Growing up my mother had a steady job, but she didn’t bring home much because she didn’t have an education. My mother was a single mom who got pregnant at 16 and only has an 8th grade education due to a family move during the 9th grade which ultimately led to her not finishing her education. We were the poor family all growing up. I’m also the first in my family for several generations to graduate high school and attend college. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree. I am now going back to obtain my Human Services Bachelor’s degree so that I can progress up the ladder with my employer. I currently work as a Career Counselor in which I help the public look for jobs or attend training so that they can gain better skills. I’ve been here for 4 years now, and I love it. I never thought this kind of career would be for me, but I’m going into my 5th year. My biggest challenge is financial. I am responsible for all the bills including groceries as I do not qualify for any assistance. I also have to pay daycare each week so that my daughter has a safe location to go to after school until I get off work. I had a large savings account, but due to rising issues in my life, that savings is gone. In November of 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy in January 2021 with reconstructive surgery in July 2021. I am still paying my hospital bills from that procedure. I also had to replace my roof due to it beginning to leak when it rained. My oncologist said that being overweight would increase my cancer reoccurrence and so I opted to save up money and pay for the Gastric Bypass surgery July of 2022. These last 2 years have been a wild rollercoaster, but I am ready for my adventure. My goal in life is to be the best mother that I can be and be present for my daughter. I have limited financial assistance left via Pell Grant, and being able to complete my education without debt would be a huge blessing.