As the first person in my family to attend a university, I had a hard time figuring out the whole college application process. My sophomore year of high school, my mom told me about a Youth Program at Tacoma Community House. My mom had taken classes at TCH to get her GED in 1998 and had kept in contact with a retired teacher that taught her there named Bob Strobe. They developed a lasting father-daughter type relationship. He talked to both of us about how the Youth program would benefit me. I decided that I had nothing to lose.

That summer, the Youth Program contacted me about a summer internship. The internship offered so many options but I chose an internship at the Tacoma General Hospital. I learned so much. I got to experience what it would be like to work at a hospital, plus I met wonderful people. The program also included classes every week. The classes covered a lot of significant information such as how to fill out applications, interviewing skills, money management skills, and how to get a job and keep it.

After that I graduated from Foss High School, and headed off to University of Washington. My youth coaches continue to follow up and check on me to see how I am doing.

Following my first year of college, I was invited to participate in REACH. I did the internship at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. Working there was the highlight of my summer. I worked out of my comfort zone and discovered that I would love to continue to volunteer there whenever I have free time.

I am so grateful that Bob introduced me to TCH. I was given so many opportunities, became more involved, and I feel like I have a second family to run to when I need help or even just someone to talk to. TCH has helped my mother when she first moved to Washington and had nothing at all. TCH has helped me to succeed in school and continue my education. And my family and I thank you for that!