Success Stories - Kaitlyn

“Hi, my name is Kaitlyn.  I first heard about the WIA Youth Program when I was a sophomore at Cottage Grove High School.

At the time, I was a single teen parent with a three-month old baby boy.  I was determined to obtain my high school diploma and go to college.  I had a very challenging childhood and wanted my son to have a better life.

WIA helped me by providing a financial literacy course and paying for an SAT prep course.  They also paid for my SATs. WIA provided me with necessary school supplies and the means to get a job.

My CPR certificate that I received enabled me to work at NextStep Recycling Center and star in their commercial.  The Food Handlers Certificate allowed me to work at a coffee shop.  In both instances WIA paid me $8.40 an hour and also covered child care.

I graduated from high school with a 3.95 GPA and 28 College Ready credits.

WIA also helped me to obtain enough scholarships ($142,000 Ford Foundation and $6,000 grant from the Pride Foundation in Seattle) to cover my tuition costs at the University of Oregon.  I am currently seeking a business degree and maintain an A average."