AVANCE scholarship recipient working diligently to become a medical assistant

Doris Abrego, a 22-year-old mother, came to AVANCE-Houston seeking an early childhood education program for her son. However, she found much more than just a school for him.

In her words

At the age of 16, I learned that I was going to become a mother. This news forced me to leave school, as I had no job and needed to provide for my child’s basic needs, such as clothes, food, and diapers. I had to grow up quickly to care for my child, so I worked alongside my boyfriend. Being a teen mom was difficult, as I had to face challenges that my peers didn’t have to deal with, such as raising a child instead of going to student field trips, games, or prom. It was even more challenging because I needed a high school diploma.

After my son turned three, I started searching for affordable childcare options. That’s when I stumbled upon AVANCE. Their Head Start program has been a game-changer for us. They provided my child with behavior management skills and equipped me with tools to continue the work at home. Now that my son has started elementary school, I can see the difference between AVANCE and his new school. The class size is larger, and there’s only one teacher per classroom. There were two teachers per class at AVANCE, and the attention was more personalized.

At the monthly parent meetings, representatives from other AVANCE programs attended and offered us free programs to benefit from. I participated in the Healthy Relationships workshops and gained valuable knowledge, particularly regarding financial management. During these meetings, they also mentioned other programs, and the Adult Education (GED) program caught my attention. It was an opportunity to resume the education I had put on hold a few years ago.

I decided to enroll in GED to make a change in my lifestyle. I was driven and eager to learn, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I absorbed all the subjects. Despite the challenge of juggling work, school, and family responsibilities, I successfully passed all the GED subjects in just eight months.

Throughout this time, I had an amazing teacher, Dr. Linda Patin, who significantly impacted my journey. She provided me with encouragement and mentorship, and I consider her to be the best teacher I have ever had.

I am proud to have completed the program and earned a $1,000 AVANCE scholarship. This scholarship was a blessing, allowing me to enroll in a vocational career school to pursue my dream of becoming a Medical Assistant. My ultimate goal is to become a nurse, as I am passionate about serving and assisting those who are ill.

AVANCE gave me the first push I needed, and now I’m eager to reach new and greater achievements.