In 2005, I dropped out of high school because of challenges I faced living in a neighborhood ravaged by drugs and gang violence. The violence in the neighborhood and in front of my high school made me resort to bringing a weapon to school so I could feel safe. I am not, nor have I ever been — the kind of person to start fights or join gangs. But when you know that coming to school could end your life simply because you are an innocent bystander, then self preservation kicks in.

I am a mother of three wonderful children: Carlos who is now 17, Joaquin who is 16 and Emmanuel who will be 14 in October. My children were my motivation to step-up and be a family literacy Parent. Yes, I know you may be thinking that like we say in Spanish “yo soy la reyna,” which means “I am the queen.” I am that queen now but... that was not always true.

While attending the literacy program at Shacklette Elementary in 1988, I learned much more than was needed to attain my GED. I learned how to be a better parent, student and more productive member of our community.

I am thirty-four years old, and I am a single mother of three beautiful girls. Mickala is ten, Leesa is eight, and Destinee is five. We are all enrolled in the Sisseton – Wahpeton Sioux tribe in South Dakota.

Before starting the program in Chicago, my life and that of my children and family was very different. I did participate in school and in the community, but not at the level and with the passion that I do now. Even though I wanted to help and speak out to a greater extent, I could not.

My wife and I both had professional degrees and jobs in Ukraine, but they don’t mean anything in America. Here, the more English education you have, the more opportunities you have.

I was born and raised in a small town in South Eastern Kentucky called Hazard. In Hazard we have two shopping centers and three or four nice restaurants. The people in Hazard are friendly and everywhere you go, you see people that you know. We are simple people that value family and hard work.

My wife and I came to the United States because of the conflict and discrimination between the north and south in my country. One day, they came to my home at 5:30 in the morning. When the dog started to bark, they shot it.

I was born in Mexico City. My father had an elementary school education. My mother never went to school. My parents were kind and loving. They encouraged and inspired me to go to school and get a college education. I attended elementary school in Mexico. I had to stop to help my family earn money.

Even though my husband and I are deaf, Zack has normal hearing. We knew the centerbased program would be very good for Zack. We did not want the frustration of Zack not learning to speak well. He is an only child, and we knew our speech alone might not be enough.