Grace Outreach

Carolina: In Her Own Words

In 2006 I came to New York City from Puerto Rico and entered the shelter system with my daughter.

Soon after my arrival I went to the Mercy Center where I met Darlene, the former Executive Director of Grace Outreach. Darlene asked me why I didn’t have my GED. I had taken the exam in Puerto Rico in Spanish and had failed the Social Studies section. Grace Outreach provided me with practice tests to help me prepare for the test. From 2006 through 2007 I worked towards passing the GED. Sometimes I would think this is never going to happen. Darlene would call me. I knew she believed in me, and she made me believe in myself.

When I retook the GED and passed I was so excited. I was ready for the next step in my life. I started to work on my resume ad I signed up for a keyboarding course at Mercy Center. Darlene asked me if I would consider going to college. I told her that I didn’t know if that was possible. I was on Public Assistance, I had a one year old, and I had to be on call at all times for my daughter.

Darlene helped me complete the FASFA and the Accelerated Study in Associates Program (ASAP) application for Hostos Community College. I finished at Hostos in two and a half years. I then transferred to John Jay College for a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration. When I started at John Jay I felt alone. But I knew I was prepared and could do it. I currently have a 3.41 GPA and have received several scholarships. By next summer I will have my diploma.
Throughout this process I tell myself and others that education is important because there is a difference between a job and a career.

Education is an important investment to make. If you don’t do it no one will do it for you.
Grace Outreach believed in me and planted the seed and thanks to them I’ve been able to flourish. If it wasn’t for Grace Outreach I wouldn’t be where I am now. I love Grace Outreach.