03.03.2011

Kaylyn’s Journey

When “Kaylyn” came to our program, she was sporting neon green hair and was seeking her GED. It is quite conceivable that she had dropped out of high school to become a model; she was tall, with bright eyes and an eclectic style, and she had a smile that could light up a room. Unfortunately, her good looks had gotten much unwanted attention from boys throughout her life, and at 21, she had already suffered much physical abuse at the hands of family members and so-called friends. 

Kaylyn was moving quickly through the GED books, but her studies were interrupted by an unplanned pregnancy. “My boyfriend says he’ll break up with me if I don’t abort the baby,” she said. But knowing that the life inside her was special to God, she decided to keep the baby. With the support of her mentor, satellite coordinator, and fellow CWJC students, Kaylyn got through a difficult pregnancy. During that pregnancy, she was abused by her boyfriend; she lost her car and her job; and she was homeless, only able to sleep on friends’ couches. Her family members were all addicted to drugs or mentally ill. She had nowhere to go. But she loved her baby, and she had an unquenchable desire to succeed and make a better life for herself and her new little family. Her son was born on June 8th; he was healthy and weighed 10 pounds!

Since coming to CWJC, Kaylyn has gotten a job at a gas station, bought a car, and rented an apartment of her own. She has matured and become more self-confident. And this past October, she received her GED after only one try on the test, scoring within the 76th percentile on the reading. She now hopes to go on to college.