ASHLEY'S STORY
“I was always the quiet girl, but the program helped me crack out of my shell and become a leader.””
“My life before YouthBuild was very difficult and overall not well. I was a completely different person before I attended YouthBuild. I hit rock bottom and felt like I was stuck there,”Ashley reflects on her life before joining YouthBuild Lake County. Coming from a challenging environment, Ashley found herself in a position where she had to mature quickly.
Upon hearing about YBLC from her friend and program alum, Ashley saw a glimmer of hope. Throughout her nine months at YBLC, Ashley’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. She showed interested in a diverse range of fields including construction, cosmetology, and the military. Ashley was open to where her journey at YouthBuild might lead.
Although Ashley’s exposure to construction through YBLC’s on-site projects gave her practical skills and a sense of accomplishment, it was a national guard recruiter’s visit to YouthBuild that opened a new pathway. She took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and scored incredibly high, revealing Ashley’s true potential simply needed the right environment to fully shine.
Now, Ashley’s journey has taken her to the Army National Guard, where she is training to become a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist defending the country against the threat of weapons of mass destruction. It’s a path that requires courage, intelligence, and resilience – qualities that Ashley has demonstrated in abundance.
“The YouthBuild program has changed my life in so many unexpected ways. I went from not having any credits to earning my high school diploma,” she said. “The staff will make sure you succeed. They push you to do your absolute best and they will not give up on you.”
Ashley’s journey underscores YBLC’s dedication to not only providing educational opportunities but also fostering the resilience and potential within each participant. You can support more success stories like Ashley’s by donating to YBLC, helping underserved young adults transform their futures and contribute meaningfully to society.
You can help fuel more success stories like Ashley’s by donating to YBLC! Click the button below and support underserved young adults eager to change their mindsets, employment status, and ultimately, their futures in healthcare.
