Gillis Long Graduate, "COMPASSIONATE, DEPENDABLE" Worker
A MAJOR DECISION
Her future and her baby's seemed dismal. Shondrika Dixon was a 17-year-old single mother with no direction and no plans for the future. Although she wanted to complete high school, she found it too difficult to continue and adequately care for her baby.
That's when her probation officer, Catherine Smith ("Miss Cathy"), stepped in and urged her to enroll in the Louisiana ChalleNGe Program at the Gillis Long Center. Shondrika's mother offered to care for the baby.
It was a difficult decision to be two and one-half hours away from her baby, but Catherine helped Shondrika see that this decision would not only improve her life; it was a step toward providing a secure future for her son, Delshawnta'. After much discussion and persuasion, Shondrika started ChalleNGe, with Catherine agreeing to be her mentor.
LIFE AT CHALLENGE
When asked what convinced her to enroll in ChalleNGe, Shondrika said emphatically, "My son. As a single parent, I wanted to give him a better life. I knew that meant I needed more education. I had heard about ChalleNGe on the radio. Then, Miss Cathy told me more about it and helped me see it would be good for me and Del."
"It was hard," Shondrika admits. "In fact, I was ready to quit on the first day. But when I called home and found that my son was OK, I decided to stay. The people at ChalleNGe would not stop helping me the whole time I was there. They helped me get through the hard times, and things got easier."
A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP
"She is smart," Catherine says, "but she didn't feel that she was. She was unsure of herself and had no idea which way she wanted to go, just grasping at straws."
Shondrika and Catherine developed a close relationship. Catherine visited at least once a month. They talked two to three times monthly, and each wrote weekly letters. "I wanted her to feel I'm there for her," Catherine says. "And if I didn't hear from her, I'd contact the case worker and say, Tell her to call me.' The staff does a great job coordinating contacts."
"I remember when Shondrika was planning for the prom and graduation-big events at ChalleNGe, as in other schools. She was worried about getting dresses for both occasions. I found a fantastic dress at a thrift store. It was $30 and brand new, with a store tag still attached. Later I learned that the same dress cost $100 in regular stores.
"Shondrika and I were both thrilled with my find. She loved it, and it fit perfectly. When she saw me later, she couldn't hug me enough."
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Tellis Abram, Shondrinka's Case Manager, reports, "During the Residential Phase, Cadet Dixon mastered the eight core components and developed a new outlook on life. She worked really hard and wanted to do her best. She accomplished a very important goal by acquiring her high school equivalency diploma.
"On September 14, 2002, Shondrika graduated, armed with the tools and skills to become a productive citizen within her community and a member of the working world."
After returning home, Shondrika wasn't sure she could work and find adequate day care for her son. "She was apprehensive about employment," Tellis recalls. "She had never held a job before. I called McDonald's, and they agreed to hire her. I urged her to continue working there until something better came along. It did.
"She found a position working 12-hour night shifts as a full-time Residential Training Aide at a center for handicapped. There she is described as a compassionate, dependable worker. For a while she worked both jobs, then realized one was enough and gave McDonald's a two weeks' notice."
MENTOR MUSINGS
Catherine says, "I have seen her self-esteem and self-confidence soar. She continues to mature and is showing skills in managing money. She recently bought a car and is handling the payments and insurance, in addition to providing day care for her two-year-old. She is a very responsible, good parent. That baby is her life. I see so many young mothers who can't handle parenting, but she is managing very well. Actually, she works too hard.
"I can't tell you how proud I am of this 18-year-old woman who has accomplished so much. She has come so far with the little she had to go with. I keep telling her that she doesn't need a lot, to just dig in and do what she needs to do. We stay in touch, and we still talk things over a lot. I continually tell her how proud I am of her and how great she is doing. She keeps amazing me."
"ChalleNGe played a huge role in giving a young mother and her child a second chance," Catherine continues. "I cannot praise the program enough for the work they do. The caring, concerned counselors always made sure Shondrika got what she needed, particularly an education. All her reports at ChalleNGe were excellent.
"I tell Shondrika, What you are doing is not just for you. It's your child's future too. And, you need to stand on your own two feet before you think of anyone else or a relationship. Don't rely on anyone else until you are able to rely on yourself.'" Shondrika has many dreams and hopes for the future. She eventually plans to move out of her mother's home and have a place of her own.
She is now putting legs on her dreams. "Soon I will enroll in a four-week certification program to get a CAN (Certified Aide Nurse) license," Shondrika says. "Then, I hope to continue with courses and become a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). I have always wanted to be in the nursing field, and here I am."
A GREAT EXAMPLE
The main focus of Shondrika's life is her son. "He means everything to me," she says emphatically. "He keeps me going, makes me think about things. I want to do the right things for him. I want to see him finish high school and play sports so I can cheer him on."
Of course, ChalleNGe staff are also proud of Shondrika's achievements. Tellis says, "Cadet Dixon constantly makes her family, mentor, and ChalleNGe proud as she continues to strive for excellence."
Shondrika is a great example of how ChalleNGe is passing hope from one generation to another.