November 18, 2024
Northwest Education Access student story: Making it
“I actually made it! I’m doing hair at a fast-paced salon and I am able to interact with the community in a positive way. I’m somebody and I’m great.” – Janet, a recent Northwest Education Access student
Janet did not have the easiest upbringing.
“It all started back in elementary school,” she explained. “From second grade all the way up to my senior year, I had an IEP for social emotional. I was going through foster care, getting tossed between different family members. It was so unstable, which just followed me my entire life.”
Despite the challenges Janet faced, she persisted, determined to finish high school. But then, right before her senior year, with just 15 credits to graduation, she became pregnant. Without a babysitter, she pushed the school to accommodate her education, and they eventually allowed her to work in the conference room with her child so that she could earn her diploma.
“While all of this was happening,” Janet said, “I got everyone looking at me like she’s not gonna be nobody great.”
But her story was far from finished. “I looked at myself in the mirror,” she said, “and told myself either I can take everything everyone is saying and make it a reality — or I can make my own reality and make it better. So, I started looking into doing hair because I love doing hair and nails.”
Janet was well on her way to getting a degree in cosmetology when she ran into an issue with her enrollment. That’s when she met Jerry, an Education Advocate with Northwest Education Access, who stepped in to make sure she was able to continue with her dream and helped her apply for a scholarship.
“Jerry told me the best thing you can do is try to reach your goal. And if you don’t succeed, then at least you tried,” she said. “Those are the words that can really change somebody’s life.”
And Janet’s life was changed. She graduated with two associate’s degrees, earned two cosmetology licenses and had a great job with Great Clips.
“I’m proud of finishing my education, because sometimes I let my thoughts overwhelm me to where I’m just like I can’t do this or I let what other people say affect me really bad,” she said. “So, I’m really proud that this time around I only listened to what was motivating. And everything else, I just let it go.”
Northwest Education Access, which provides comprehensive individualized support to help low-income people build their own path to higher education and beyond, is the featured nonprofit of the 40th annual UW Combined Fund Drive campaign.
You can support Northwest Education Access and more than 4,700 other great organizations in your community and around the world during the UWCFD campaign or throughout the year. Donate or volunteer your time today!
