Before she started she was concerned about finishing what she started, but now she feels “happy”; she feels she can do it; she is confident and motivated. She has made “tons” of new friends, “I feel great. The support from friends, family and teachers has been great.”

Her teachers are equally positive, “Carrie has overcome some major personal trauma; she really has her life together now and is taking a huge step towards a better life for herself and her daughter. Carrie has come a long way in a short period of time; she is very determined to succeed, and I have every confidence that she will.”

Shawn Joly, Northern

After working in construction for five years at minimum wage, Shawn decided to return to school to get tradesman papers, a diploma or credentials for a better job. He briefly tried credit programming two years ago but lasted only two months. Now 22 he is even more convinced that schooling will change his life. Twenty two and single he is able to live at home and enroll fulltime in college programming.

During his first two weeks, Shawn concentrated on goal setting and self-directed learning strategies. Now in his academic programming, he is very focused on his goals, is prepared to work on his own and is pleased about the strategies he has acquired to learn and evaluate his own progress. The small group of nine that started together has bonded and they provide support to each other when things get stressful.

Shawn’s goal is to enroll in the Pre-Service Fire Fighter program in September 2003. He must complete OBS IV communications, biology and chemistry and LBS 5 mathematics. Shawn started at LBS 4 and knows that he will have to be very committed and make steady progress in order to complete his prerequisites in time. Shawn is most skeptical about the sciences. He left school without completing his Grade XI so he has no prior education in the sciences he needs.

Shawn’s family is helping a great deal. Their support for his basic needs makes the situation easier. Shawn has devoted an entire section of the dining room table as a homework area. Shawn commutes to school with his cousin, a second year student. His girlfriend who is enrolled in a first year post secondary program is very happy about his return to school. They connect often during the day which is a good thing since there isn’t as much time for dates.

Four weeks into his program, Shawn is still very motivated. A recent 90% on a numeracy test has boosted his confidence level. He is doing well in all his subjects and hasn’t experienced any difficulties yet.

Shawn sums it all up, “I gave up a lot to come here, but already I see the gains that will definitely make a difference in my future.”