After 32 years, Josephine returned to school to receive her GED.

Josephine is one of the students that will walk the graduation stage next Tuesday, and we are so proud!

Josephine had 11 1/2 years of school under her belt, but didn’t graduate high school. About 32 years later, she decided “it’s never too late,” and took classes in our GED program at Catholic Charities. She squeezed evening classes into her schedule around volunteer teaching Religious Education at Sts. Peter and Paul, ministering at the jail and raising her family, all while working.

Soon after passing all of the test sections to receive her GED, Josephine was invited into a program at TCC to become an interpreter.

Her friend, Vicki Silva, volunteer ESL teacher, supported her through all of the classes and testing, so when Josephine needed volunteer hours as a TCC student, she began volunteering with Vicki to help other students at Catholic Charities.

Josephine says, “I see myself in their shoes…and I feel that if the Lord has given me this opportunity of speaking English and everything that he has given me, that this is how I can give to the community.”

Josephine not only gives back herself, but two of her daughters, ages 19 and 9, also have been volunteering for the Adult Education program at Catholic Charities. Volunteers and donors enable Catholic Charities to help students like Josephine achieve more through education, and our community is blessed in turn.

With Josephine, it’s way more than a GED exam, it’s Love Changing Lives.