Rising Above It All:

Maria has not let adversity stand in the way of her education.  A year ago, despite a 4.0 grade point average, she had to stand up in front of a committee and explain to school officials why she was always tardy.  It was only then that her teachers became aware that she was living in a homeless shelter and working late hours babysitting in order to help support her mother and brother.  Her appeal to remain in school was answered, and shortly afterward she and her family were accepted into The Homelessness Project.

This fall Maria has earned a place in the Running Start Program which will allow her to attend community college at the expense of the school district while earning her diploma.  An avid and skilled Spanish student, Maria hopes to visit and study in Latin America in the next year or two.  She practices her language skills in her job at a local Mexican restaurant where she frequently helps interpret for the Mexican staff.  Her plan is to build her language talents into a career, perhaps as a translator or interpreter.

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The Children’s Stories: