Resiliency & Independence: Allison’s Story
Allison* joined our Pathways Transitional Living Program (TLP) on January 30, 2019. During her time in the program she accomplished many great things. She graduated from high school almost a year early and enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Johnson County Community College. She graduated with her CNA license in December 2019. With the help of GEARUP , she completed her ACT and applied for six scholarships. Allison was accepted to Pittsburg State University and will be attending college in the fall of 2020.
Allison was very motivated to do things on her own. She learned how to prepare and file her own taxes. She made sure she maintained her yearly physical, dental and vision appointments. Allison began working at CVS in June 2019 and learned how to get to and from work without assistance by our team. She worked hard at budgeting her finances and managed to set aside money for transportation to work, personal products and luxuries such as getting her hair and nails done. Motivated to purchase her own car, Allison remained faithful at putting 50% of her earnings in a savings account. Her hard work paid off and she was able to save over $5,000, obtain her driver’s license and purchase a car!
After turning 18 in March, Allison made the difficult decision to request to be released from state custody and a judge granted her request. She moved out of the TLP, packing her personal belongings in the car she paid for and left to live with a family member until she leaves for college in August.
“I am very proud of her. It was bitter sweet to see her go,” says Pathways director Shontel McGee. “But we knew that she was mature and ready to be an independent adult.”
*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the child.