It's Never Too Late
One of my true blessings has been the opportunity to spend my entire career in the service of others. As a nonprofit professional, I have enjoyed a career focused on people, places and things. There is no feeling like having a former client recognize you and ackowledge you with a smile and a conversation.
My favorite place is the dollar store. It makes me happy to know that I can choose to spend my money on items that I may or may not need for only a dollar. It is there, in the dollar store, where I encounter people who impact my ego. On one ocassion, I had a conversation with someone who made me check my self esteem. But yesterday, I had a conversation with a former client that literally made me want to stop what I was doing and enroll her into our program.
As I am walking down the aisle that has household supplies, I hear "Can I come back?" Before I looked up, I knew that the voice was directed at me. "I was so close, I should have stayed." When I finally located the voice, I zeroed in on the face of a former client. Without hesitation I retorted with a smile on my face, "It is never too late."
With barely a three minute conversation between car wash supplies and duct tape, she brought me back sixteen years. I knew about her family, her employment, and her only regret. As her children have grown into teenagers, she wished that she had completed her high school equivalency diploma so that she could more confidently support their educational achievement.
What a testimony. Most people would see someone who has failed. However, I remembered where she was when she came to see me for the first time. A young mom-to-be without the skills to get a job. Now, she is a mom of three sweet children and a kitchen supervisor at a local public facility. I count everyone that leaves as a success especially those that learn the skills to take care of themselves and their families.
I only taught for a few years. But I remember the challenges that our students bring with them.
- Recently disabled but no skills for an office position
- Married mother of seven but not eligible for an entry level position
- Good job but not eligible for a promotion
- Homeless teen with a six month deadline from relatives to earn a diploma
- Troubled youth who thought this would be easier than staying in school
Over and over again, I witnessed the distress of adults who had not completed high school... disappointment about their circumstance and hope for the future. We all have personal drivers. We all have hopes for the future. We all have some regrets about the paths we took. My job, our job, was and continues to be to help people see that hope is real. That opportunity awaits. That there is a path to achieving your goal.
So to everyone out there who knows someone who needs a little push, a little support, and a little guidance, find a way to be helpful. Share resources not opinions. Show examples not failures. Offer a leg up and not a crutch. What people so desperately want is to be able to make it on their own. But those of us who have sort of made it understand it is not about traveling the path alone. It is about having someone or something to encourage you when you just don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If you don't know what I do, I work in the nonprofit sector as one of those "literacy people." My organization helps people improve their literacy skills and their lives. However, we can't take all of the credit for helping people. It is hard to disrupt your life to go back to school. That is why the community, family and friends play such an important role in the success of others.
If you know someone who hasn't completed school or who would like to pursue a new or more challenging career, please let them know that it is never too late. There are school districts, nonprofits, community colleges, libraries, faith based organizations and individuals who are willing to offer assistance with pursuing a dream.
For the 1 in 7 adults out there who need to upskill to stay competitive, there is hope and help. Remember #LiteracyChangesLives. Reach out to a local adult education provider or partner agency to find out where to get help. Feel free to call our office at 337-494-7000 for a referral to an agency or program in your area.
It may not be you. It may be someone you know.
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