Growing up, my family moved around a lot. One week, we’d be living in Lake Bridgeport, the next in Bridgeport itself, then Rockwall, and even Wiley.
It wasn’t until I was in 6th grade that we had something resembling a stable home. It was the ugliest house on the block – a tiny, old pink house with a rent of just $500 a month. We moved in when my mom met my stepdad, and I hated it. I saw my friends with their nice things and big houses, and I couldn’t understand why we were different.
As a kid, I didn’t understand our financial struggles. I didn’t appreciate then that my mom was doing her best to provide for our family. That her many boyfriends were the only way she could put a roof over our heads.
I found my escape in athletics. In 7th grade, I joined the cross country and track teams, and they became my sanctuary. Running was my constant, the only thing that made me happy and the only thing in my life that was stable.
I broke a few records in middle school, and started to think that this was something I could actually be good at – great, even.
But still, I struggled. I was battling severe depression and had fallen in with the wrong crowd. At the end of my freshman year, my mom told me that we couldn’t afford college unless I earned an athletic scholarship. That I needed to get my head on straight if I wanted to make something of myself. That conversation was a wakeup call. I didn’t want to live paycheck to paycheck or struggle as my family had. So, I buckled down, focused on my academics and athletics, and set my sights on college.
I attended North Central Texas College (NCTC) where I received a full-ride scholarship. It was a blessing, but the path wasn’t easy.
During my senior year at NCTC, I was overwhelmed with financial stress. My dream job was always to be a cross country and track coach, but I realized that radiology was a more stable career choice. It would allow me to work in the medical field, which I’m passionate about, while providing financial stability. But my scholarship was only for two years, and once that money ran out, I was on my own.
The stress wreaked havoc on my grades; I even failed art class. That’s when I found Catholic Charities and their Education Navigation program. At first, I was skeptical. I thought, “Do I really need a mentor? I know what I’m doing.” But then I met Lisa, my Navigator, and everything changed.
Lisa was not just a mentor; she became like a second mom to me. She provided guidance, support, and practical help that made a real difference. The workshops on test-taking strategies, time management, and other skills were invaluable. I learned how to set goals, prioritize tasks, and manage my time effectively. Lisa’s encouragement and practical tips kept me going, even when I felt overwhelmed. With Lisa’s help, I was able to make the Chancellor’s List twice, a huge achievement for me.
Financial support from Catholic Charities was also a lifeline. They covered my Texas Board exam fee, which was $225 – an amount I simply didn’t have.
Knowing that I had Lisa’s support lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Through all of my stress, she kept reminding me that, in a few months, this will all be over. I’ll start my dream job and I won’t have to worry about any of this ever again.
And she was right.
This summer, I’ll start my career as a radiographer at Texas Health Harris Methodist in Fort Worth. I’ll be making $70,000 a year, with an $8,000 sign-on bonus. I can’t wait for my first paycheck, because I just know I’ll cry. It feels surreal to have come this far, and I owe so much of my success to the support and guidance from Catholic Charities and Lisa.
If I hadn’t have found Catholic Charities, I don’t know where I’d be. I know I wouldn’t have made the Chancellor’s list. I probably would’ve had to take extra jobs to make ends meet and I don’t know if the stress would have been too much for me to bear.
I can’t thank Lisa enough for everything she did to save my academic career and my mental health. From gas to food to time management, she cared so much about my success. I know that’s her job, but it really meant something to me because I knew, at the end of the day, someone truly cared.
The Education Navigation program didn’t just help me navigate my education; it helped me navigate life.
