This United Way student success story begins with Jareli, a determined young mother who faced overwhelming challenges after escaping an abusive household.

“I thought I was never going to finish,” Jareli says about high school. After moving from Mexico to Georgia and then to Texas, everything changed in her life. She found herself in an abusive household and knew she had to get out.

Unsure of what she could do after escaping a toxic living situation, Jareli found support with United Way Safety Net Partner, Boysville, Inc.

“I ran away, I was scared. I used to ask for help all the time, even CPS but nobody ever helped until Jennifer. She was the first person who made me feel heard.”

With stable housing at Boysville, Jareli turned her attention to her career and education. That’s where United Way Successful Students Impact partner Restore Education got her back on track to success. With support, Jareli went back to school and obtained her phlebotomy certificate.

Her progress is a powerful example of a United Way student success story, showing how the right resources can change the course of a young life.”

“I never thought I’d go back to school, I thought I would always be cleaning houses,” she said. “But I got my phlebotomy certificate and I help people now. Now, I have real goals. I like having a steady job and income.”

Jareli’s purpose for pursuing her education and career would gain new meaning when she gave birth to her first child. After losing two children during a previous pregnancy, Jareli knew how fortunate she was to have her daughter and wanted to provide her with more than she had growing up. “She healed a part of me that I didn’t know needed healing. I want to raise her better than how I was raised,” she said.

“I was behind in everything but now I have graduated high school and have a career path,” Jareli said. “That support changed my life, I never thought I could do something like this.” With her career and life in a better place, Jareli’s dreams are to become a registered nurse and save up enough money to help her mother move to the U.S.

“I didn’t think I could be anything. I used to be scared to try, now I know I can do hard things,” Jareli said. “I didn’t get here alone but I’m the one who chose not to give up.”

United Way’s Successful Students Impact Partners helps opportunity youth like Jareli, who are not attending school or working, as they get back on track in their life. Many students do not graduate due to not having stable environments that foster learning. With these resources, young people are able to become students again to pursue their education and improve their economic mobility in their careers.

“They didn’t just teach me a trade, they gave me a future,” Jareli said. “They believed in me before I believed in myself.”

Jareli’s story is just one United Way student success story among many that show how vital these programs are for youth in our community. Restore Education, a local nonprofit helping young adults succeed, is one of United Way’s key partners. Learn more about Restore Education.

Your support makes a difference for students in our community, including the 522 young people who were re-engaged in school or the workforce by United Way resources in 2024. When students are given the tools they need to succeed, it benefits everyone in our city, including their families, the individuals they serve in their careers, businesses and the local workforce.