Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
Haley Velasquez will be earning her General Education Diploma (GED) at the end of the month after completing the Adult Education program at South Texas College; and thanks to a Dollar General Foundation Adult Education and Literacy Grant, which made this once impossible journey for Velasquez achievable.
For the second year, STC was recently awarded a $9,000 Dollar General Foundation Adult Education and Literacy Grant allowing the Department of Continuing, Professional and Workforce Education to purchase 33 GED reusable software licenses.
These software licenses are used to help students like Velasquez review, study and complete GED practice tests to ensure they’re prepared to successfully pass the social studies, reading, math and science sections.
“Having this type of resource as a student, changes everything,” said the 21-year-old. “I’ve always struggled with school and this software breaks everything down so it’s easy to understand and to learn.”
The Alton native said her dyslexia and the lack of resources kept her from finding success in the classroom, and when she got pregnant at 18, she decided to drop out.
“Having a learning disability didn’t make school easy, but I’ve come to realize it’s also not a reason to give up,” said Velasquez. “I need to do this for my kids…I have goals and it’s time to reach them.”
Velasquez added that the software STC provides its GED students is making the process easier for students like her who struggle with learning and is getting her one step closer to her goal of becoming a realtor and someday a mental health counselor.
“This GED is going to open doors for me,” she said. “Getting closer to finishing my GED is now allowing me to think about a college education. If I can do this, others like me can do it too, thanks to STC and the resources they offer.”
STC Director of Professional and Workforce Education Olivia De La Rosa said with this grant, the department can expand its resources and help more than 700 students like Velasquez.
“Without this grant, we would not be able to help as many students as we do,” said De La Rosa. “Although nothing is impossible, this helps ease the challenge and helps us provide students with a number of opportunities, including a college education.”
Nearly half of the students who complete STC’s GED program, according to De La Rosa, continue classes at STC to earn certificate or associate degrees.
“Our GED program opens so many doors for our students and their families,” she said. “It’s giving people better lives by opening up educational and career opportunities.”
To date, the Dollar General Foundation Adult Education and Literacy Grant has also helped thousands of people in this marginalized group pay for GED courses.
For more information or to sign up for STC’s GED program, call 956-872-3585.
