Below is the full transcript of Danielis’ speech from The Care Center’s 2019 Fundraising Party:
My name is Danielis Gonzalez and I’m 25 years old. The first time I found The Care Center was in 2010. I had just become a teen mom and dropped out of high school, unable to find child care. I had been homeless many times – moving around, staying with friends and family. My original goal was to earn my GED. I felt very welcomed at The Care Center and surrounded by other mothers who were trying to complete the same goals as me. I made sure to keep myself motivated and focused. I was able to write poetry, join the rowing team, and even do bowling and yoga. The Care Center gave me hope and a desire for change. They actually cared about me and my child. I quickly earned my GED at 16 years old.
Soon after receiving my GED, I enrolled in an expensive career training program to become a medical assistant. They promised a degree, a job, everything. Unfortunately, this place did not have my best interest at heart. Just three months before I completed my degree, I had to drop out, no longer able to afford the tuition. I was left without a degree and with a ton of debt that I am still paying off. That was eight years ago. I went into crisis and did a lot of work on myself in the years that followed.
In 2018, I found The Care Center for the second time. I was warming up the car for my daughter, scrolling through Facebook, when I saw a post from The Care Center – they had a college. I didn’t want to make another excuse so I called right then and there and Emily, the college counselor, answered. She set up an appointment for me to learn more about the college and apply. I was so excited when two weeks later, I found out I got in. I felt so relieved. Finally I could start my college journey.
I am now in my third semester at Bard Microcollege Holyoke. I love being in college. This place understands all that a mother needs to make it through college. Getting used to my routine and trying to study while parenting was tough. But I am surrounded by amazing people who are actually involved both in and outside of the classroom. Thanks to The Care Center, I have daycare and school supplies. A student loan expert is helping me deal with the debt from my past. Each week, I meet with the Microcollege Director Mary Anne, for advising sessions. When my son got sick and I had to miss class, my classmates checked in on me. My professors emailed me back and helped me catch up on the work I had missed.
This is the first time I’ve really been able to focus on school. Before now, everything has been about my kids. I’ve had to work to get by. I’m by myself, without a family support system, but I’m getting all As and Bs in my college classes. Sociology was such a struggle, but I got an A+. When I received my midterm grades, I wanted to cry. I was shocked and so happy. I’m the only person in my family, including my parents, who has a GED and soon I hope to be the first person to graduate from college.
As a young mother I was always told that I couldn’t be successful at anything in my life. I always felt anxious around other people, who can be so cruel and judgmental. Words hurt but they never stopped me from pushing forward. Through all my tears, struggles, and pain I got here. I’m a successful college student. And now, surrounded by so many other women who struggled like me, I know I’m not alone. Together we’re defying expectations and building the future.
