My desire for my family to be financially self-reliant helped me decide to participate in Jubilee’s financial classes. I am most excited about learning to budget and to save towards my children’s college education. My daughter wants to be an FBI Special Agent; I want her to succeed in life and get the college degree I wasn’t able to get. I was born in El Salvador, but have lived in the US since I was eight. I started working part-time at the hospital where my mother worked when I was twelve to help support my family. When I reached the 12^th grade at Roosevelt High School, I was unable to complete high school due to my pregnancy with my first child, Crystal. As a single mother, I am determined to be successful in raising my children, to provide them with the opportunity to go to college, and to give them the skills to be sustainable in their future. I am so grateful for the programs for my children, and for classes that allow me to share my life experiences and develop skills to be successful in my financial goals and life’s dreams.

 

 

By Mozart Resident Elvia Ramirez-Vidal

 

   Graduating from high school is a big accomplishment that all kids must try to obtain. My name is Elvia Ramirez-Vidal and I graduated from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School on June 10, 2008 after 12 years of hard work. I am glad to have my diploma as proof of all the homework, projects, and grade levels completed. Although 12 years seem like a lot, I must continue my education. That is why for the next four years I will attend Marymount University in Arlington, VA. I am going for my Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and might possibly double major in Fine Arts as well. But it doesn’t end there, because I hope to continue studying until I have a Masters. This shows that learning can always be furthered. Just because you complete one level doesn’t mean you should stop there. Always strive for learning!

 

 

By Fuller Resident Edgar Caiza

 

My name is Edgar Caiza. I live in the Fuller Building and go to Gonzaga High School. I play the saxophone in my school’s wind ensemble, and recently I had a fun and relaxing experience with the band. In March 2008, I went with the band to Orlando, Florida for a week to compete in the “All American Music Festival.” We played excellent on the day of the competition and won two First Place trophies and two Superior ratings from the judges. I felt very pleased because the months of hard work paid off in the end. I got a lot out of this trip. I became friends with students from my school that were younger and older than me. This trip also taught me the value of hard work. This is one trip that I will never forget.

 

 

One of the nineteen families moving into the Marietta in February is the Ali family – Zahra, her son Khalid, and her daughter Kulud. Zahra moved with her from to the US from the city of Khartoum in Sudan. She moved to Jubilee Housing in August 2002. If you live anywhere near her you probably already know Zahra because she is very outgoing and friendly. She worked very hard this year to improve her English reading and writing skills so that she could pass her citizenship test. When asked, Zahra can tell you facts most Americans don’t know about their own government. She became a new citizen this year! Her children Khalid and Kuhlud both grew up in the Good Shepherd after-school program and have done very well in school. Khalid attends Montgomery College, while Kuhlud is a senior in high school and a member of the debate team.