Doris was at a crossroads in her life. She had no high school diploma, had experienced homelessness, was dealing with mental health issues and went through a number of challenges in her youth that would derail her stability.

“I let my mental health issues consume me. Consequently, it made me immensely reckless,” Doris says.

Doris wanted to take back control of her life.

She wanted to break the cycle and continue her education. That’s when she reached out to United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County community partner, Restore Education. She had heard about how Restore Education assists individuals with getting their academic and professional careers back on track.

“Life is a challenge but when you really want something, you will pursue it nonetheless,” Doris said.

With the help of Restore Education, Doris was able to find stability in her education and career.

With their assistance, Doris was able to get her GED. The staff held her accountable, something she says she needed at that point in her life. They provided workforce training that better prepared her for a career in Human Resources, which she is now studying for. Restore Education also assisted her in earning her Microsoft Office Word certification and finding employment.

Her transformation from being out of school without a diploma to being a successful student who has made several dean’s lists is something she is proud of. She says she owes it all to the staff at Restore Education.

“The staff members helped me with anything I needed, such as GED preparation, career planning and more. They even paid for my GED without me asking and donated laptops to participants during the pandemic.”

Doris received the Alamo Colleges District “Student of the Month” award earlier this year.

“I have gained so much knowledge and established excellent habits. They boosted my confidence and believed in me. I do not think I would have the same confidence and diligence if I had not gone there.”

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County invests in partners like Restore Education that empower students to be the best versions of themselves. When students have stable learning environments with actively-engaged adults to assist them, they become better prepared for college and their careers. In 2021, United Way helped 413 disconnected youth (ages 16-24) reengage in one or more education or workforce systems.

Not all graduating high school students are ready for college or a career. Services like this give students like Doris the resources they need to learn and grow.

Now Doris is only a few credits away from earning her associate’s degree and will continue toward a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M-San Antonio.

“They gave me the tools I needed to succeed in college and in life,” Doris said.