LaCresia King describes herself as "not the most academically gifted" and was never expected to graduate high school, let alone go to college. Now, she's a Central High School alumna and 2012 Concordia Moorhead social work graduate who landed a full-time job within months of receiving her diploma.

In this economic climate many would say she's lucky for finding a job so quickly, but after speaking with her anyone could tell there was really no luck involved.

As a fresh out of college undergrad, she spends her days at St. Stephen's Human Services in Minneapolis doing case management for 26 families helping them find housing, rental subsidies, GED courses, college programs, counseling services, and school supplies.

"A lot of times, people just need support and someone to listen to them to help them get back on track."

She decided she wanted to pursue social work through her adolescence of meeting with social workers and feeling like her family's needs weren't always being met.

"Sometimes, our social workers weren't the most understanding and I wanted to change that."

LaCresia's family moved to Saint Paul because SPPS had more programs and opportunities for low-income students to succeed than the suburban public schools.

"In my suburban school, if you didn't get something or needed extra help, parents were expected to fix it." 

Through elementary and high school, LaCresia wasn't able to fall back on her parents for the academic push or answers to her questions.

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