April was the first in her family to go to college. 

“Without anybody telling me, I knew that I wanted to be educated,” she said. “I think God himself made it possible because [the timing] was never right. When I first started, I didn't have a kid. I ended up dropping out. Then I had my son, and we were by ourselves for a while. Then I met my husband, and [we had] three kids. So you're either going to go or you're not,” she continued. “You can't keep making excuses because life is going to keep happening. So go.”

April graduated with her associate’s degree in two years. Her goal was to graduate in a year and a half, but she had to take a few semesters off after the loss of her cousin and her home.

Within the timespan of a year, April lost her cousin, who was like a brother to her, and she lost her home, which was damaged in a tropical storm. This happened during the pandemic, while she was working full time, going to school full time, parenting her children, and being a partner to her spouse. 

“I was so sad,” April said. “Nobody ever talks about death. We don't know how to process [it]. [And my kids] needed me. I didn't want anybody to need me at that time, but I had to take care of them.”

She continued, “When I graduated, it was so surreal. Cause I was like, ‘How did I even get to this point?’ It wasn't in my strength. I wish I could take the credit, but I can't. I'm telling you, literally God has been helping me. I've been on His back, honestly, because I cannot see how it happened.” 

“When I was little, my mom would bring us to church,” she said, “and when they took us away, I didn't understand it. I remember talking and praying and begging God to go home. It never happened, but I never lost faith.” 

She continued, “When I grew up and looked back, I [understood that] I had no choice but to be removed because if we would've stayed there, it would've been way worse. I feel like [God] cared for me so much that He removed me from it - although I didn't understand. My cousins should have been removed, but they weren't. [My] cousin that passed away [told me], ’Even though you weren't around us, you were lucky. You were lucky [that] you had a chance.’”

April was placed in foster care the summer before sixth grade. She lived with an elderly woman who was extremely strict. April felt like she wasn’t allowed to do anything. 

“She tried to shelter me so badly,” April said. “It was terrible because by the time I [was] a freshman, I was wild. I wanted to do things, you know?”

She continued, “But my mother's rights were terminated, and my sister and brother ended up getting adopted. The family wanted [to adopt] me too, but I was so scared. I didn't want to leave what I'd established. I stayed [in the foster home] because it was familiar to me, and I don't like change.”

Eventually, April wound up leaving anyway. In the ninth grade, she moved to a group home due to problems in her foster home. Living in the group home, April felt like the other girls were “like sisters.” “We fought, we loved, and we took care of each other,” she said. She didn’t feel like she was lacking anything there - except for blood relatives. She stayed in the group home until she was 17, and then she signed herself out of care. 

“I wanted to be a normal teenager,” April said. “I wanted to be able to go places and do things.”

“But I feel that I made a mistake,” she continued. “I think if I would've stayed in foster care and aged out, I would've been more equipped with the essentials that I needed [as] a young adult. My mom didn't have much when I left, and it was hard. But, I've always had a good worth ethic. I always knew that I would have to take care of myself, so I found my way.”

April always figured things out. She finished school. She got jobs that she felt like she shouldn’t have gotten. She worked her way up within organizations. Now, April works at a mental health clinic where she helps people apply for social services such as disability benefits and SNAP benefits. 

Unfortunately, the process can be confusing, and people often have to wait a long time to receive services. April takes pride in being honest and doing the right thing, and she works hard to let people know what they can expect and how long it might take. 

“A lot of people want to know the process [to get services] and how long it's going to be. I [don’t] sugar coat anything,” April said. “They have to wait a long time, especially if they're disabled. There are certain guidelines that won't get you awarded [services], or there are certain guidelines that you have to meet and you may not [have] those particular issues [occurring]. When that happens, we have to get to a hearing [with] a judge, and that whole time the person [has no] insurance, no money, nothing.”

“But I really love my job,” April continued. “I like to help people and this job is the right fit for me. I [love] the clients and listening to their stories and being able to relate with them and be empathetic.”

April also enjoys the people that she works with. She describes her supervisor as very smart, helpful and cool. April feels like her supervisor trusts her and has confidence in April’s ability to do her job well, which feels great. She has good relationships with her coworkers too. 

“It's corny, but it's like family,” she said. “I think [we make a great team] because everybody is so open and honest with each other. Everybody has the same agenda to help, and that's why I think we vibe.”

April met one of her closest friends at work, the person she can call for anything. April’s friend just finished her bachelor’s degree and moved to a different department, but they still talk every day, either in the morning before work or in the evening. 

This fall, April took her first classes for her bachelor’s degree. She took 12 course hours while working full time. Thankfully, she’s been able to do some of her schoolwork while she’s at her job, after she’s finished meeting with clients.  

“I want to be finished with school before my oldest son graduates [from high school],” she said. “I don't want to steal his thunder, and I want my thunder as well. So I have to go full time, and I have to go year round.”

April’s career and education are a top priority in her life, because she wants to set an example for her children. When April graduated with her associate’s degree, her eldest son told all of his friends. 

“He was so excited to tell his friends, and they were like, ‘Oh, Miss April, Congratulations!’ she said. “It felt good.”

April plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in 2024 and with her master’s degree in 2026. 

“This time around it's me that I'm driving for,” April said, “because I know people love me. I have people that care, but I like to show myself, ‘You can do it.’”

What does she want for the future? 

“I don't ask for much,” April said. “I just want to be happy and healthy and [for us to] all stay tight knit. I want to be that family. I didn't get it that way, but I want that [for] my children. I want to grow, and raise them, and help with my grandchildren. I want all of that.”