“Without Open Doors, I wouldn’t have graduated,” shares 20-year-old Hailee.
Awarded her diploma last June, Hailee’s road to graduation was full of twists and turns. Hailee struggled with school starting in middle school. As a freshman in high school, she admits to slacking off. During sophomore year, although she had switched schools, Hailee still wasn’t motivated. She was starting to experience some health problems, was using drugs, and was in what she calls a rough relationship.
“I gave up on school, for a while,” shares Hailee. She left high school and considered a couple of options, such as going to school to be a firefighter and online classes; however, neither option was a good fit. Hailee started working, and after a few months, realized that she did want to finish high school as it would help her with employment.
“I felt like I needed to buckle down and start being responsible,” she shares. Hailee went back to high school to enroll and saw information about Open Doors. “I’m glad I chose Open Doors,” she shares. “They were different and didn’t let me slack off. I got one-on-one attention that was really supportive. They showed me they really cared, both about how I was doing with school stuff, but also personal stuff like music and how my life was going in general.”
A diploma wasn’t the only change in Hailee’s life this last Spring. In April, she was laid off from her position at the airport because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She had already moved in with her mother after her prior lease expired to save up some money, so she was able to remain financially stable. In May, her girlfriend proposed and they are now engaged. And, Hailee enrolled at Green River College to start classes Winter quarter towards earning her Bachelor’s degree in cyber security.
“I used to tell myself that I couldn’t do stuff, and thought I should do a more traditional career, like become a nurse,” shares Hailee, “But, I want to do something I know I’ll be happy with and that I can do. That’s why I chose cyber security. And, it’s a way I can still help people.” In five years, Hailee sees herself finishing college and starting a career, buying a house, and possibly having a baby with her fiancé. We hope her dreams come true!
MSC partners with Federal Way Open Doors through the Federal Way Public Schools to reengage students ages 16 to 21 and support them in obtaining their High School Diploma or GED Certificate. MSC has dedicated staff at Open Doors who work with students to achieve their academic and personal goals, provide individualized learning plans and other support, provide comprehensive case management, connection to community resources, post-secondary planning, and positive youth development opportunities such as field trips and leadership activities.
