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| Jose
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| The ABE program is often narrowly viewed as a quick way to by-pass conventional education in order to acquire a GED. Our program does help students achieve immediate goals, but rather than a quick alternative to a short-term objective, students are offered an education foundation that opens a lifetime of possibilities.
Many students are left out of the traditional educational process and our program offers the chance to succeed outside of that realm. “Jose” is an example of someone who did not fit into the conventional educational process and used the ABE program to improve some basic skills and expand his possibilities.
Jose came from Mexico as a young adult with only a 6th grade education in his home country and limited English ability. When I began as an instructor with the ABE program over a decade ago, Jose was already attending English as a Second Language classes with us. Although he could speak English well enough to hold a full time job, he came regularly to improve his communication skills. He worked faithfully increasing his vocabulary and improving his grammar. His success with English encouraged him to achieve more. He began studying for his high school diploma with the same persistence that he had always shown. He meticulously studied each subject reading every book page by page until he completed his last test.
With his GED in hand, Jose had already accomplished more than anyone in his family had achieved; however, by this time he had learned that education is not an end but a continual process with limitless possibilities. He is now enrolled in courses at Central Community College. He began with non-credit skill building classes and continued to seek help with various academic skills in the ABE classroom. He is now in regular college credit courses anticipating a business degree helping him to someday own his own business. He no longer needs the help ABE classes can offer him and that is the greatest compliment and reward we could have—that our students would transcend our program.
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| Joyce
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| Joyce lived at Bethpage Mission for many years when finally, she and many others were allowed to move to community settings. Several years ago, the family with whom she stayed (a board and room arrangement) contacted the the Arc of Buffalo County about recreation opportunities. Joyce became active in People First and quickly made many new friends as she participated in monthly craft and cooking classes and other activities. She noticed that one of her new friends lived on her own, with many natural community supports.
Joyce was confident she, too, could live independently. So she told her twin sister (who lived in Iowa but visited her frequently) about her wish. Her sister contacted the Arc Director about possible places for Joyce to live and about a support system for her. I told her about available public housing, public transportation and offered some additional monthly support through Joyce’s Recreation Aide. After about a year of planning and talking things over with Joyce, her pastor, employer and friends and me, Joyce’s sister helped her move into her own home at Emerson Apartments.
It was the first time Joyce, 62, had ever had a place of her own. Despite the misgivings of some of her “well-meaning” friends who feared she just wasn’t capable, Joyce has successfully lived on her own for one year. She thoroughly enjoys her new independence and maintains a busy schedule of activities, including working at the Sonshine World, participating in church activities and doing her own cleaning, shopping, cooking, etc. A church friend takes her to medical appointments, her sister visits her regularly, and her Arc Recreation Aide schedules a grocery-shopping day every month, along with other activities.
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| "Dad"
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| A father going through a divorce with two children was awarded joint custody. The father was worried because he didn’t have much of a relationship with his kids and he didn’t feel he was doing anything right as a parent. When he was married, his wife stayed home and he worked all the time. He was often the disciplinarian in the family, making him feel estranged from them. He stated that he had no “control” over his kids and he wasn’t sure of what to do. There just seemed to be more bad times than good. He was also unable to pay for any help because of the divorce.
Through C.A.R.E. (Child Abuse Resource and Education), he began the first session of Active Parenting NOW very reluctantly. By the end of the session he had several ideas to help make parenting easier and bean working on getting closer with his children. Two weeks later he came back and had said how happy he was to have learned the few things because his relationship with his children was already better.
Throughout the next four sessions things seemed to be getting even better. The father stated that the good times were actually starting to outweigh the bad. His children would be so excited to see him and they were not afraid of him like they were in the past. He also stated that the daycare provider for his children even mentioned to him about the change in his children. Their self-esteems were better; they were listening and also becoming more responsible. Because of this, the pressure of being a parent was becoming less and he had more time to spend with both of his children.
At the end of the sixth session he was uneasy about doing it all on his own, so we agreed to meet again in one month to see if he needed added help. By the time this came, he only had a few questions in which I directed him to his parenting guide. Things were going great between him and his children and he stated that he couldn’t believe how kind people could be when you needed a little help.
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