Rashaia had a lot on her plate when she came to Blueprints in March 2017. Not only was she the single mother of a one-year-old daughter, but her son was due in July and she was having some minor health issues with her pregnancy. She had no driver’s license, no high school diploma, past debts and no childcare for her daughter.
Rashia was completely unmotivated to make any changes. She admits now that she was very angry that she was referred to Blueprints for its Work Ready program. “I tried everything to try to get out of attending,” she said. Once Blueprints helped coordinate daycare for her daughter, she had no choice but to attend the program.
Once she began Work Ready, Rashia was also enrolled in Blueprints’ Adult Education program. She also attended driver’s preparation practice and participated in community service projects. With the assistance of her Adult Education instructors, by May 2017, Rashia had passed all four sections of the GED exam. By June 2017, she earned her drivers’ license. Rashia was such a diligent student that towards the end of her pregnancy, she was helping other GED students in class prepare for their test. On July 14, 2017, Rashaia gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Since then, Rashaia periodically checks in with Blueprints’ staff to tell them about her progress. Rashaia now works as an in-home care worker and regularly exceeds 40 hours weekly. The two eligibility requirements for her position were a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license. She is also pursuing postsecondary education for future employment opportunities.
She and her significant other have established a two-parent home and because of their family income, they were eligible to move into a 3-bedroom apartment in a new housing complex. “Coming to the programs here changed my life,” Rashaia said. “I’m not all the way there, but I can offer my children the life I want for them.”
We are proud of Rashia and glad that our imprint on her life made all the difference.
