Car for Kids in Georgia

She was bullied and sexually harassed. She wanted to tell someone, but was too ashamed. So she often considered suicide as her only solution.

“Middle school was very tough for me. I was bullied by other students. Girls and boys. I was the constant victim of sexual harassment. I tried to talk to my mom about it, but she wouldn’t listen. I needed help and she was just in another world.”

Tania needed someone to save her, but felt like a burden to her own mother.

“Sometimes I thought about how much better off my mom would be without me. I even considered taking my own life.”

“At that time it was hard to find someone who really cared about me. My teachers at my old school didn’t care if I succeeded or not. I was afraid to attend the high school in my neighborhood. I didn’t know if I’d be bullied even more by students who were so much bigger than me.”

“So I asked my mom if I could go to Texans Can Academies and I was really surprised when I got there. I found teachers who really cared about me.”

“I talk to my advisor almost every day and my history teacher, Mr. Vasquez, he inspires me to do more and be positive in life.”

“I’ve even participated in the Latinas in Progress program. I’ve received commended on two of my STAR tests - algebra and biology.”

“All of my experiences have helped shape me and I’m still learning. Since coming to Texans Can I care more about my grades, I socialize with people who have potential and goals. I’m more open to ideas and I’m just more mature.”

“Thanks to Texans Can I’m on my way to earning my high school diploma. In just a few months, I’ll be the first person in my family to graduate high school.”

“After that, my goal is to become a doctor by attending Texas A&M University or the University of North Texas. My advisor is even helping me look for scholarships. I want to be a doctor because of my experiences and because I want to help people. I want to save lives.”

“I know it won’t be easy, but with Texans Can Academies behind me I know I can do it. Maybe one day when I become a doctor, I can help people like Texans Can.”

Beginning my first year of high school through what was supposed to be my junior year, I had no priorities or motivation to go to school. I would give up on myself even though I would always hear from the teachers that I was more than capable of attending college. My grades would be good and my work was always on time, but I would just never find a way to make it to school on time, or at all for that matter. There were high points in my life where I would manage to get a whole semester worth of credits, but then because of petty problems by the next term things would take a turn for the worst.

The last time I dropped out of high school was in November of 2008. I distinctly remember this because it was due to my pregnancy, mainly the morning sickness. I was always throwing up. My whole pregnancy was really hard on me. I was constantly admitted into the hospital because of dehydration, and I had morning sickness up until the time I delivered my daughter.

Once I had my baby, my world changed dramatically. She opened my eyes and because of her I have matured a lot. I started to think about all the things I could do to better my daughter’s life. I began to realize how important higher education was, especially for the well being of my family. I would see my daughter’s father get rejected for jobs because he had no higher than a ninth grade education. Employers that require high school diplomas wouldn’t even give him a chance. For a while he was working at temporary agencies and it was a struggle to get by with the baby and all of our expenses.

I thought about getting a GED and then I thought; Why not go back to Austin Can! Academy, a place that would believe in me even when I had given up on myself, the school where the teachers knew I could become something more than just a high school dropout? I decided to give it a try, and I was able to enroll and start right away.

As soon as I decided to come back to school to give my daughter a better, more financially secure future, my prayers were answered and my daughter’s father was offered a job getting paid pretty well. The only bad thing about the job is it is very hard work. I don’t want him to work that hard for the rest of his life. Since way before I was pregnant my daughter’s dad had been working to get all the things we needed. He has been working extra hard since the baby has been here and now I think it will be good for us if I let him stay home with the baby while I pursue a career. I’m hoping once I graduate I can find a great job with good benefits and I can also start going to college. That will give my daughter and her father a whole lot of time together and it will also give him the opportunity to get his high school diploma or a GED. I am graduating in January 2011, and thanks to my wonderful family, life couldn’t be going any better right now.

At 30 years of age, Ana-Maria has everything she wants…career, family and an education that will never fail her. All because she chose to pursue her GED with Dallas Can! Academy. Ana-Maria, like more than 40% of Latina teenagers in Texas, found herself pregnant with her first child while in school. Struggling to continue on in school while being raising her child was more than a challenge…it was near impossible. After finishing the eighth grade, Ana-Maria did what many teens with families do. She dropped out of high school. “The summer I got out of ninth grade, I decided to drop out of high school and get my GED [General Equivalency Diploma],” she said. “I tested at Live Oak and was told I could take the GED test within a few weeks without having to attend the regular classes.” However, she didn’t give up. She went in search of a school that could meet her needs. Then she found Dallas Can! Academy. She chose Dallas Can! Academy, which was located on Live Oak Street at that time, because she wanted to make immediate changes in her life. Dallas Can! Afforded her the flexibility to raise her family while still pursuing an education. “It was such a short period for me, but I enjoyed that there was a program that was tailored to fit my immediate needs,” Ana-Maria said. “I was able to get in and get out and move to the next stage in my life.” She was able to take the GED test that summer. Earning her GED in 1995, she immediately put it to good use by enrolling at Dallas County Community College District at Eastfield. She quickly earned her Associate’s Degree in General Studies, then moved on to the University of Texas at Arlington to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. By the end of December, she will graduate with her Master’s of Business Administration. She plans on starting law school within a year. Today, Ana-Maria is the Executive Director of the Jubilee Community Center where she works with hundreds of families and children in the Jubilee Park neighborhood, revitalizing the community. “I was working in Marketing and Sales for another non-profit, but I wanted to work with the community and reach out to kids and families who were experiencing the same struggles I had growing up,” she said. “Dallas Can! Provided me the hand up I needed to keep moving.”

My name is LaTasha Davis-Gomiller and I am a student at Austin Can! Academy. I am 20 years old and have a loving baby girl named Talaya and a wonderful husband, Milton. If it wasn''t for my husband being by my side and pushing me in the right direction, I wouldn''t be standing on that stage. I work full-time and am a full-time mom as well. I grew up in foster care, and it wasn''t easy. I made the best out of it and became a better person. I wasn''t always the easiest person to get along with, but with the right people and being a little scared straight, I got my life together and was given a blessing from God, my beautiful family. All my family helped me get to where I am today, I love them and thank them for everything that they have done for me.

I was trying and trying to find a school that would fit my work schedule and my budget. I couldn''t go back to public school because it was going to take me longer to get my diploma and get where I wanted to be in life. I tried an online school, but the cost got too much, so I dropped out. I was driving by Austin Can! one day and I saw their sign with a phone number, so I called and came in. I did what I had to do to get enrolled and start classes. I was a little scared because I didn''t know what to expect because I was due to have a baby soon, I wasn''t sure they would accept me. They did, and I give much love and thanks to Austin Can!.

What made me come back after having Talaya was the fact they had a home school for mothers that are trying to get their diploma until they can return to the campus. The teachers and advisors are so helpful and understanding of people''s situations and take their time to help any student in need, instead of turning their backs on them.

Austin Can! helped me to understand that I don''t have to be scared to ask for help, that''s what they are here for and I thank them for that. They helped me achieve one of my biggest goals in life and I am so proud to be where I am today. Thank you so much Austin Can! for everything that you have done for me.

For my future I want to go to college and become a social worker to help young children and teenagers that are in similar or different situations that I have experienced in my life. The simple point of having someone to be there and showing them that someone cares and they aren''t in this alone would be what I want to do with the rest of my life.  

I want to thank every teacher at Austin Can! for helping me to become a high school graduate!!!!

October 8, 2010

Giving up should never be used in anyone's vocabulary because giving up should never be an option. I've had lots of struggles in my life and I almost let giving up control me but when you look back on all the passide opportunities in the life it makes you think twice. School has never been really hard for me but its just the way I chose to act, but that all changed when I started my school years here at Can Academy River Oaks.

I have attended this school for three years now and its been some of the most challenging years of my life. The teachers here want to see you be successful as long as you are willing to try. Furthermore there's just one person who always kept me in line, Mr. Tucker; he has made me look at things much more different. When I felt like giving up on school he kept me going. Even though we've had our ups and downs he has always been there for me helping, encouraging me to be a better person. I want to thank him for that.

Ravyn W.