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Each of the women you’ll read about below are incredible on their own. Together, they are unstoppable.
Erica Baez graduated from The Care Center’s GED program twenty years ago and returned this fall to attend college at Bard Microcollege Holyoke. She discovered an interest in statistics in her Introduction to Sociology course and relates, “I have always been the underdog when it comes to beating the odds.” Despite those odds, Erica’s “baby” is now twenty years old and in her second year of college. Erica gushes, “I am so very proud of her. She is all I wished I could have been at her age.”
Destiny Bermudez is a 25-year-old mother to a five-year-old. She graduated from The Care Center’s high school equivalency program before continuing to Bard Microcollege Holyoke. She plans to continue her education at Smith College. Destiny spoke at The Care Center’s 2024 spring fundraising event. Read her speech.
Erica Cruz is a 23-year-old single mother attending Bard Microcollege Holyoke who is interested in architecture and design. She writes, “At 23 years old, I broke my first family generational curse, and I went back to school, and I graduated. Now I sit in Bard as the first of my entire family to go to college.”
Jasmarie Hernandez graduated from The Care Center’s high school equivalency program before continuing on to Bard Microcollege Holyoke. A mother to a one-year-old, Jasmarie plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a certified midwife. Jasmarie is also interested in city planning and sustainability and hopes to mitigate the homelessness epidemic by transforming abandoned buildings into affordable apartments.
Angelica Lopez is a first-year Bard Microcollege Holyoke student and mother to a baby boy. She has demonstrated incredible drive in her first semester with plans in place to continue directly to a bachelor’s degree program, ultimately earning a master’s in psychology. In addition to her academic talents, Angelica is a gifted artist and engaged member of The Care Center community.
Karina Lozada is parenting a toddler and battling stage 4 kidney cancer. Due to her incredible talent and determination, she is on track to graduate from Bard this spring. Karina plans to pursue a career as substance abuse counselor. She writes, “My ultimate goal is to create a safe space for individuals grappling with addiction, where they can feel heard, supported, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives. I envision adding art therapy into my counseling practice, recognizing the power of creativity in the healing process.”
Shy’heema Reid graduated from The Care Center’s high school equivalency program before continuing on to Bard Microcollege Holyoke. She describes her lifelong interest in mechanics: “Throughout my life, I have always been fascinated by how things work and how they can go wrong. My curiosity often led me to take apart household appliances just to see if I could figure out how to put them back together. My early interest in mechanics and problem-solving (and Law and Order SVU) ultimately evolved into a passion for forensic engineering and science.” Read Shy’s speech at the 2024 fundraising event.
Anais Stokosa is a Bard Microcollege Holyoke student who is on track to graduate this spring. She writes, “I am from a small town in Western Massachusetts where it was easy to feel stuck. From a young age, I loved to drive around and look at beautiful houses.” Having completed an internship with a realty firm, Anais plans to continue to a bachelor’s degree program to pursue a degree in graphic and interior design.
Kelberlin Tejeda is a mother of two attending Bard Microcollege Holyoke. Kelberlin moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic when she was five years old, and at a young age she began helping care for her younger brothers. Before joining the Microcollege, Kelberlin participated in The Care Center’s rowing program and Clemente Course, publishing two poems. Despite incredible hurdles, Kelberlin is wholeheartedly continuing her education and spreading her enthusiasm to those around her.
