I believe the most challenging thing about being a single parent and a student is trying to find the time to balance homework, classes, dinner, laundry, appointments, and all of the other daily life tasks and needs while trying to make sure that you are putting your education as a top priority. They have a grant for single parents that cover the majority of tuition but it leaves a lot left that doesn’t get covered. Trying to continue education and be everywhere else you need to be is financially taxing also. Gas is at an all time high right now and commuting to and from school and home, kids school, their extra curricular activists and all is expensive and I’m sure is a big reason why a lot of single parents don’t pursue higher learning. I have decided I am not going to let anything hold me back from pursuing my dream career and in the meantime I find it especially rewarding to be able to sit down and do homework as a family where we can all help each other and they can see how important getting a good education is. I consistently try to instill in them the tools they need to figure out which career path they want to pursue after high school, now. We talk about college and go over options and what those options might look like in terms of every day life. I regret daily not choosing to go to college out of high school when I was younger and while I am choosing to do so now, I want my children to be able to learn from my experiences and choices. I want them to be able to see how that decision has affected me currently. I am hoping to get my high school aged daughter enrolled in college credit plus at my school and help her get a head start on her own college journey. More than anything I want my children to see and to know that it is never too late to chase your dreams or to go after something that you really want, regardless of age, race or gender. Nothing should hold you back from becoming the person you want to be or making the decisions to change your current situation. It all starts with just taking that first step and although it is scary and definitely nerve wracking it will all be worth it in the end. Nothing worth doing in life is easy and it will take a lot of work and a lot of late nights and mornings with little to no sleep but when you want something bad enough you will push through whatever it takes to get to the other side and I just hope they see that and know that they also have that same drive and determination built in to be anything or anyone they want to be and that I will always support them every step of the way. I am hoping to create a better future for my family and in turn they are able to create beautiful futures for their own families one day.

I am wanting to pursue law to practice family and criminal law. I am currently obtaining an associates in Human and Social Services because I want to be able to help children and families in need and help those incarcerated to find a better way of life for themselves and to give their children a better life. I am currently a low income parent, i have to children that are soon to be graduating high school in the next few years and also want to set an example to them that it doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in, you can always chase your dreams and become who you want to become in life. I am returning to school now as a 31 year old adult after having children and now deciding to pursue my dreams and wants in life and I am hoping through those actions it inspires them to want to do the same after graduating high school and that I can give them advice and knowledge that I have gained through my life. Being a low income parent I see a lot of people that live in my community that are involved in Child Services or continually get involved in the court systems and have no real support to help them find a way out and realize a better life awaits them. With my education I hope to impact and assist the low income community specifically and help the kids of those communities and encourage them to also chase their dreams no matter how big they may seem or how overwhelming it might be at the moment. It all starts with one step in the right direction and with making responsible decisions and pro-social actions. I want them to know there are people that want them to thrive and succeed and that have their back. Going back to school and pursuing a law career has been something that i have wanted for a very long time and I am finally pressing go and choosing to start the journey to get there. I know the first step in making a change in low income children and families lives is to involve myself and be the change that is so much needed in those places. The world needs more people assisting others that care about their well being and future and the future of those that they raise to take our places.