Stories

From homeless single mom to nursing student in Boston, Massachusetts

When I first came to Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), it was not as a GED program participant, but as a homeless resident in search of a stable home for my son and me. Like lots of homeless people, I did not anticipate being in that situation, so instead of letting it take over, I started to make the necessary changes to improve it.

Not graduating from high school had always made me feel like I was less of a person. But I decided that I was not going to let it keep me from accomplishing my goal of becoming a registered nurse. That’s when I joined the GED program at Crittenton Women’s Union.

The program helped me to prepare not only for the GED test itself, but also for everyday life. Whether it was methods for coping with stress or deciding which day care I should put my son in, the people at CWU were always there for me.

After obtaining my GED, I joined a five-week training program where I learned the basics for working in a health care environment, including medical terminology, interviewing skills and even simple things like following dress codes.  After graduating from the training program, I was offered a job as a sterilization technician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Then I eagerly took the enrollment test for a nursing program. I passed and will be starting school next year. Before you know it, I could be giving you your medication or even your shots when you go to the hospital!

Accomplishing these goals would not have happened if it weren’t for the people at Crittenton women’s Union who supported me along the way. My beautiful son gave me the motivation I needed from the beginning. I also want to thank my teachers and case managers for their help. Getting my GED allowed me to go to college and start my career.