Hard-working youth flourish in education
"Strive once, strive twice, strive always for the future that will blossom."
Adrianna's words of encouragement joined a chorus of students overcoming homelessness and other staggering challenges to earn their GED.
Stephen, a young man who had been living under a bridge, described how he resolved to enter a substance abuse recovery program and with Outside In support went on to learn job skills and land employment. The tides turned when he decided "I didn't want to be a negative statistic anymore."
Of 23 homeless students graduating this year, an inspiring 86 percent earned college-ready scores.
At our graduation ceremony, participants urged each other to remember their accomplishments and believe in themselves as they move forward to achieve personal goals and stability. "Stay motivated, stay focused," said one of the grads, Karma. "You'll get there."