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Against the Odds: A Story of Success My name is Keona Rackley. I started dropping out of school in the third grade. We had a lot of family problems. My mom wasn’t educated so she took odd jobs. My mom grew up in a poor family and dropped out of school in 9th grade to take care of her siblings. I was proud of my dad. He got his GED in the military. I never really saw him, though. He worked double shifts in the fish houses. He is also a retired veteran. In the sixth grade, despite excellent grades, my attendance was so poor that I almost had to stay back. I started sleeping over at my grandmother’s house. She really tried to help me. I knew she loved me and supported me. She helped me stay focused. I joined the yearbook committee, and was presented with an award for Outstanding Effort at my sixth year graduation. In the 7th grade, I met a boy. My grades were pretty good (B’s) but I was dropping out to be with him. I did so bad in 8th grade that if I didn’t go to summer school, I couldn’t go to high school. My sister had attended the summer program the year before at New Directions, and told me I should check it out, so I did. They helped me with school work and I got to do projects and go on field trips. It was the best experience of my life. I got A’s, I made new friends and a little money as well. I used the money to buy my clothes for the 9th grade. In the 9th grade, I was getting excellent grades. I had an A+ in accounting. I love math. My boyfriend was having a real difficult time in school. He dropped out a lot and was sent to West Side High. I stayed at New Bedford High but started skipping classes to be with him. At the time, I didn’t see much use for education. Even friends I knew in college were telling me they couldn’t find work. I thought, “Why go?” It was the second semester. I just turned 16. I told my mom, “Sign me out, or I’ll just keep skipping.” She did. I didn’t realize what that decision would do. My dad was mad and stopped talking to me. I went to live with a family friend and to work for her as her housekeeper. After a year, I got sick and had to move back home. I had no job and no money. My family ran into even harder times when we were forced to move out of our house and into an apartment. I was really confused and upset. I didn’t know what I was going to do. At 18, I did the summer program again. It was great. We did a communications project, film editing, and we interviewed the homeless. We took pictures of historical places in the City and the beaches. I love photography. This gave me a boost. I tried working at Papa Gino’s. It lasted two weeks. A job at the VF Outlet lasted one week. I even tried doing hair and nails from my house. I didn’t know how to hold down a job. I lost my motivation. Now looking back, I realize, I didn’t have to be a role model for anyone. I wasn’t held accountable for anything. I didn’t have people telling me whether or not what I was doing was okay. I didn’t realize the years were just passing by. I didn’t realize I was just letting others control me. At 19, I went back to my boyfriend and I got pregnant. I found my own apartment, and I lived off food stamps while my mom would buy a few supplies for me when she could. When my son was born, I gave him my all. He was my life and it was hard. I was broke. No work. Alone with a baby. Soon welfare called and said, “Get into a GED or supported work program.” I knew this was my chance to make this right for me and my son. I told them to enroll me into a GED program. At 20, I went to the Career Center, where they gave me a TABE test. I then went to New Directions, who referred me to Mass. Job Training (now it’s Training Resources of America (TRA)), where I met John Afonso. I really looked up to him. He had a military background like my dad. He helped me learn and helped me in life. He even helped me write a letter to the Mayor and Senator about my situation, that I was getting my GED and needed an extension for housing. John taught me about life skills and about my own strengths. He encouraged me. I didn’t realize that the years out of school would affect me the way they did. I was an “A” student in accounting, and now I could hardly add numbers. I had to start from scratch. I was heartbroken when John left, and I didn’t get along with the new instructor, Desiree Leclair. I caused trouble, ganging up with other girls in the class. I went back to behaving like I did when I was younger. Desiree was so patient with me. She kept telling me – Focus. I couldn’t see it at the time that she really cared. I ran back to my boyfriend. I got pregnant again. At 21, I did the summer program again at New Directions where we got to do surveys. It was a lot of fun. In the meantime, Desiree encouraged me to take the GED. My mind was made up to get it. I studied really hard. After my second son was born, he had to keep going into Boston hospitals for treatment. My mom would drive me when she could. I was also trying to find a job. I applied for my first real job at a bakery, but I knew I still needed my education. Every day during the week, I would study with Desiree from 9am-12pm and then go to work from 1-6:30pm. I also worked all day Saturday so I could get 35 hours, each day walking home because I didn’t have a ride. My mom watched my kids. My studying paid off and I passed some of the GED tests. At 22, I still had a couple to go. If it wasn’t for everyone at New Directions and Training Resources of America, I don’t know what would have happened. After 4 months, I had to quit work to care for my son during the day. WIC was able to provide me with formula, but would not pay for the special kind my son needed. I had put some money aside from the short time I worked, and though I was out of work now, I had put aside enough to pay for rent for a couple of months and pay for the special formula. My son was getting better. My GED registration had expired. I had to re-register in 2005. It didn’t matter how many tests I already passed. I had to take them all over again. Two months after my 24th birthday, in April 2007, TRA asked me if I wanted to help tutor and help other teens that were in the program. I said YES! They offered me a job. I didn’t write well. The first time I took the GED writing exam, I got a zero. I was determined, so I copied and studied other case notes and professional letters we had at work to practice. It took three times, but finally, in July of this year, I passed my GED. I now work full time as an Assistant Instructor for Training Resources of America. I love working with other kids that are troubled – that are right where I was not long ago. This job is helping me grow for my own kids. It’s helping me be a better role model. I can see now how important education is. I will tell my kids to get an education, to stay in school, and get a career. I’ll teach them to be independent men, to think for themselves, and to find it in themselves to go for goals. I will tell them to have faith. I can see it was difficult for my parents. They helped me when they could, and I love them for that. I’m grateful for their bringing me up to have faith in God and hope in something beyond where I am. I went through many struggles, but with God and the support of the people around me, I learned that I could still do it. I’m proof that there is a better outcome in life. I don’t know how to thank the people at TRA. They have done so much for me. To Desiree, thank you for showing me the person who I am today. I am a young adult and I’m not afraid to say that there are people to help me. You helped me develop my skills and abilities and to stand on my own two feet. You helped me realize, I can survive. I’m a resource now. I tell kids that are thinking about dropping out of school, “Look into the resources. There are really good counselors that know what you are going through. Don’t drop out.” It’s more than just about making money. You’re smarter about life and about how to work. It is easier to get a job when you are educated. Many youth I now work with are not educated. Without these programs, I know we would not be able to help them. What would we do, just leave them out there? No. These programs help youth get their GED, teach them computer skills, and get ready for work. Everyone is entitled to another chance. Now I can give back what I was taught. Now I help others get an education. I’m grateful for who I am today. I want to succeed. ____ Author’s note: I asked Keona if I could contact her to review this story before it was printed. “Absolutely!” she replied. Then going to her desk she pulled out a business card. I could see the pride in her smile as she handed it to me. Her name in blue, bold across the front. It read: "KEONA RACKLEY – Achieve! Program Assistant Instructor”. “Just give me a call”, she said. 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |