I wish for my children not to have the struggles I went through; I wish for my children not to repeat my mistakes. I wish for them to go through school, to enjoy school, to love learning and to care about themselves and their education. I wish for them to go to college and to be happy in whatever endeavor they accomplish.

For most participants, wishing is not enough; they have set examples and established rules that family members are expected to follow. Anna states firmly: “Not graduating high school is not an option in our house. It’s just not an option for them not to graduate high school.” Mothers like Enid, Mabel and Veronica who were formerly on assistance take an active role in their children’s and grandchildren’s education. Divorced after 10 years of marriage and raising three daughters on her own, Enid says: “I had to fight for my youngest daughter for stuff she needed because she is a special needs child. It took five years because she finally got approved for Social Security.”

Mabel, a single mother of seven, borrowed children’s books from her GED classroom for her younger boys and took classroom readings and activities home to her older one. She was also active in a community organization that works with parents and their children to promote computer learning. Veronica who lost her children because of her drug and alcohol abuse has been clean since 1998. Now a GED graduate and GED tutor, she is trying to make a difference in her grandchildren’s lives:

I help my grandchildren with their homework. They get so excited when I explain things to them because it’s like ‘WOW, I got it, I can’t believe it!’ Their teachers don’t explain it. I guess they don’t have the time to explain it like I do. When I see that light go on in their head; it makes me happy.

Sarah, Richard, Charlene and Peter who enrolled in ABLE programs to set an example for their families are pleased with the results. Sarah explains that 16 years after getting her GED at an ABLE center, she “was able to go through the center again and prepare for college. At that time, I was also able to get my mom to come through with me, and she was able to get a GED at the age of 58. She was the only one in her family to obtain any type of higher education.” Richard has been married for 32 years and has three children. Two received a high school diploma and one graduated from a High School Diploma program. Richard reflects:

When I was working … as a custodian, I decided I was going to sign up for the literacy program and get a high school diploma and set an example for my son and my younger daughter. My son went back to school, got his diploma after I had gotten mine, and my daughter had quit school. She went back to school and got her diploma after I got mine. So I feel that my getting my diploma helped me tremendously in life; plus it helped both of my kids because it set a big example for them to follow.

Charlene adds: “My son was the reason I went back to school, since he was having trouble, I didn’t want him dropping out like I did. I overheard my son talking to a friend, convincing him to stay in school and graduate, and that made everything worthwhile.” Peter, who had a high school diploma and a 2nd grade reading level when he enrolled in a literacy program in 1988, explains his motivation and its results:

The reason that I entered the literacy program was to help my children in their reading … They’re quite a bit older now from when I received the award and I have one out of college that is 23 and is working for a funeral home; my second son is 20 and he has just finished his second year of college; I have a son that will be a senior next year; and my daughter is just completing the eighth grade in school. The second son that has gone off to college, I think they have seen my role in continuing with literacy as a role model, and going off to college has given them the incentive to work hard and to study. What you reap is what you sow.