Michele S. knows the greatest gift of all: education. Education has turned Michele’s life around and she has worked very hard to feel and be successful. She hopes to use her own experience to inspire her children, ages 8, 6, and 2 and encourage others to always continue learning. But it was not always this way for Michele.

“ By going back to school….. I hope that I will stand as an example to my own children someday, and they will realize the courage it took for me to start my life over again, go back to school and actually succeed.”

Michele had a high school diploma and wanted more education. She always loved school and learning, but was married for many years to an abusive man who would not allow her to continue her education or establish a career. She wanted more for herself and children and left him. Later Michele met someone, Jean, who saw how strong her desire was to go back to school and was very supportive. She stated “I worked harder than I ever did in my life for that bachelor’s degree and I graduated in November." Michele is now working toward a Spanish Certificate and plans to continue in psychology and social work.

A renewed self-esteem was a welcomed bonus that came with education for Michele. She said it was lost during her difficult marriage and she felt herself to be a failure. She credits having the support, both financially and emotionally, of her boyfriend Jean and sheer determination to succeed for her success. “By going back to school, I have been able to put a perspective on my life. I now realize that I am an incredible person, worthy of my efforts to become better. I hope that I will stand as an example to my own children someday, and they will realize the courage it took for me to start my life over again, go back to school and actually succeed.  Learning new things is a pleasure and should never be considered as impossible….I did it and so can everyone.”