Katelyn grew up with her mom, renting a room in a house with other tenants. Her father wasn’t in the picture, so she was often on her own while her mother worked long hours at a security job. She learned to be independent and thankfully had a grandmother in her life who was a positive role model, teaching her morals and responsibility. Hard-working, fair-minded, compassionate and intelligent are a few words that describe Katelyn.
Having some alone time during the day allowed Katelyn to explore her talents, and she found a passion for art. After graduation, she wants to one day open her own tattoo shop.
Before J4CG, Katelyn did not know how to create a resume or handle an interview. With J4CG, she learned the necessary skills and grew the confidence to get a job at the Regal Movie Theatre. She learned to manage her time, set goals for herself and budget her earnings. After a few months of working at the theatre, a CTE specialist at her school offered her a pathway into UPS; for better pay, a great environment and great growth potential.
As J4CG specialists, our duty is to prepare our students for the path they choose after high school, but not limited to academics. We helped her get health and dental insurance by calling IEHP; made a DMV appointment; and investigated how to recover her ID and social security when she lost her wallet. These little things made Katelyn feel supported and motivated to continue pushing forward.
Today Katelyn is a few credits away from graduating and has plans to attend college for art design. This will get her one step closer to achieving her tattoo shop goal!