Graduate of the Year ERIKA TODD
The Graduate of the Year is awarded to an outstanding person who completed a Goodwill program, is competitively employed outside of Goodwill, and who overcame barriers to attain and maintain employment. Erika traveled to Arkansas with her family from Mexico and eventually dropped out of high school when she became pregnant at age 15. She faced a decision of keeping her baby or staying in school. As a result, she left school to work and raise her child. After seeing The Excel Center featured on a television news story, she knew this could work for her. “It seemed like it was different from the other ones (programs). There was a big difference and that’s why I continued. They work with you and take their time. That’s why I liked this program.” Erika worked full-time while attending The Excel Center and it took her a while to finally graduate. But she was determined and committed, and she finally graduated. “My son is going to graduate from high school next year and I didn’t want him to say, ‘Mommy didn’t finish.’ I wanted to show him, if I can do it, you can do it.”
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