Olivia, 25

Olivia loved being a student at Santee Educational Complex.  She was a cheerleader and on the basketball team.  She worked hard and earned all her credits but had one major roadblock: the math section of the California High School Exit Exam. Olivia left school and was about to give up on ever earning her diploma when a friend told her about LAEC in 2013. She enrolled in our Saito High School, which is co-located at the LA Conservation Corps. On alternating months, she attended  school and received job training.  Caring LAEC instructors made complex math concepts in algebra and statistics come alive, and she thrived under the tutelage of LA Corps' crew supervisors in its recycling program. A year ago she was promoted to front office staff and now is learning to be a driver for the graffiti program.  Next steps?  The mom of two (ages 1 and 6) is considering earning an AA in child development at Los Angeles Trade and Technical College.  She is enjoying the support she gets from the case management staff in making her decision.