Steven's Story: "I had to work to help pay the bills"

Times were tough in Baton Rouge.

And so Steven made a tough decision: He would leave high school in his senior year in an attempt to get more hours as a forklift operator in a local shipping center.

“I had to work to help pay the bills for my family — my parents and my siblings,” he said. “I just couldn’t work as many hours as I needed and go to school at the same time.”

Steven always wanted to go back and finish his education. But after a few years, he began to believe he’d lost an opportunity to do that. “I’ve thought about it. I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t think there was really a way,” he said. “I thought I’d probably have to settle for a GED.”

But unbeknownst to Steven, school leaders at West Baton Rouge Parish Schools were making plans to help students just like him. The district launched its dropout recovery partnership with the NoDropouts program in 2011.

Soon, Steven got a call.

“I wasn’t going to answer it at first because I didn’t recognize the number,” he said. “But something told me to answer. And a lady told me about this free program and I got really excited.”

Hours later, he was working on his first assignment. And today, he’s a high school graduate.

He’s not going to stop there.

“My goal is to get a business degree at a community college,” he said. “I’d like to open my own business.”

And while times are still tough, Steven said he’s confident now that he can meet that goal.

Do you know a Steven? We can help you help him. E-mail info@NoDropouts.com or call 1-855-NO-DROPOUTS