 I began attending Sardis Doorway with my then 1-year-old son in January 2016. I was a single parent of 2 boys, supported by income assistance and dependent on public transit. I struggled with PTSD, past addiction, and anger issues. I was at a place in my life that I was unsure how to move forward and uncertain if I would succeed even if I tried. But I had a lifelong dream ~ to become a Registered Nurse. At Doorway, I started to look into what it would take to become a nurse. I found that this program was not approved for funding through the Single Parent Employment Initiative (SPEI), due to its length, nor did I have the prerequisites needed to apply. I kept pushing through. I underwent different training, assessments, and seminars through Work BC to find out where this new path might lead myself and my children. At Doorway I was reminded that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, work hard and have a strong support system around you. I started on my journey to become a Nurse by first becoming a Dental assistant through UFV. I had always been a strong student, but I surprised myself when I graduated from the 10-month program with a 4.33 GPA and a place in the Deans list. It felt so wonderful to finally be on a path of success once again. Because of the support of Doorway I have continued to work towards my life-long dream using all the lessons in my past and the education I was now receiving, to further my success. I knew that we all get knocked down sometimes, but Doorway was something that I could always count on to remind me of my strength and help me pick myself back up to continue my journey. Even though I graduated from Sardis Doorway in June 2016, I have been able to received multiple first aid certificates, my Food safe and this past fall ~ my class 5 license. And I am truly thankful for all the wonderful people that I have been blessed to meet along the way. My sons have grown a lot in this past 5 years, as children tend to do, Kingston is almost 6 and Chance is 13. They have watched me push forward towards my dreams and goals coming from what I describe as rock bottom. I hope that when they are older they can look back and see that mommy was able to push through the troubled waters and reach the beautiful shore of success. Since graduating from UFV, we have returned to Church thanks to a lovely human that I had the pleasure of working with at my first dental office. Chance is involved in Youth group, Scouts and swims competitively. Kingston plays soccer and swims as well. Both boys are doing well in school and life. Currently I am waiting for a seat in the very competitive BSN program (Nursing) and while I wait I am taking courses at UFV that are either part of my future degree or that will benefit me as an individual and a Nurse in the near future. There is nothing easy about this journey, but I will continue to push forward until I reach my goals. I know that Karin and Doorway will be here to cheer me on every step of the way and this gives me great comfort because I know that I am not alone. Over the past 5 years I have come to realize that everything comes into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. God is good and even when times are hard there are lessons in every experience we have and many successes are along the way, even through the darkest of tunnels. I want to thank every person at Doorway and in my life that has held my hand and encouraged me when I had no courage or strength to keep going. Sardis Doorway is a big part of the reason I am where I am today ~ and I so greatly appreciate you all!!
1 Comment
|