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In Their Own Words…Our GED Graduates Teach Us About Everyday Heroes …

“Never give up.” These three words are the mantra of every GED graduate in SEARCH’s education program. In 2002, nine students took that advice to heart and earned their high school equivalency diplomas by attending our classes. They opened their books, and they opened their minds to prepare for the challenging nation-wide exam. These nine people are now either in vocational training programs or are already employed in positions with a future. How did their partnership with SEARCH enable these students to succeed? And how did these students affect our program? Here are some insights:

“When you’re young, you never think bad things can happen to you.” A teen-ager. An infant. And no place to live. They stayed at a shelter, but the child wasn’t thriving. Distraught, the mom turned to SEARCH, “which was the best thing I ever did.” Once in their own apartment, the child gained weight and delighted everyone in SEARCH’s daycare program—The House of Tiny Treasures. Mom focused on GED classes and proudly marched down the aisle in cap and gown. She never gave up.

“I should have gotten my diploma 25 years ago!” Strands of gray hair mingle with the dark. Eyes fill with hope…and fear. Can he do it? Is he too old? His use of English is below par and he worries about the essay requirement. “But if not now, when?” he asks himself. Good question. By coming to SEARCH because he needed a shower, our grad discovered a host of opportunities he hadn’t known existed in Houston. With SEARCH’s help, he traded Sam Houston Park for the YMCA, a futile job search for a high school diploma and an HVAC certificate and state license. “SEARCH has helped me change my life.” The truth is, he seized an opportunity and never gave up. 

“I lived on the streets all alone. Just me and God against the world.” Curly blonde hair. Sweet face. And abused since childhood. She hit the streets at age 13 and hit rock bottom almost seven years later. Then entered a drug rehab program and saw a world of possibilities open to her. She reached for that elusive high school diploma. Once referred to SEARCH, she didn’t waste time. She earned her GED in six months. While studying, she also found a part-time job. An in-depth vocational training program is next on her agenda. She thanks SEARCH for believing in her. She never gave up.

Multiply these three stories by any factor to learn about the cross-section of the SEARCH community participating in our GED program. Teenagers and mature adults. Males and females. Single adults, single parents, and married couples, too. Black. White. Hispanic. An ethnic diversity reflecting our city. 

As diverse in background and experience as our graduates are, there is one factor in which they are identical. They never gave up. And neither will we.