Lesly Avalos – Latin American Youth Center-Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (LAYC-MMYC) - Success Story - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Lesly joined the LAYC-MMYC Workforce Development Program in 2017 seeking assistance with completing a GED® program to obtain her high school diploma. Before joining the program, Lesly found it difficult to balance being a young mother to two children without childcare as well as a full time high school student. She decided that withdrawing from school and pursuing her high school diploma via GED® would be a better fit for her and her family. In 2017, she was referred to the LAYC-MMYC Workforce Development Program by a former school counselor.

Although facing obstacles along the way, Lesly was committed to attending GED® classes and preparing for the GED® exams that she would be taking in the next few months. Lesly readily admits that there were times that she found herself questioning if this was too big of a task, but she persevered and continued to work hard to accomplish her educational goal. She also received life skills and job readiness training which prepared her to obtain employment and succeed in her career.

In June 2019, Lesly walked across the stage along with fifteen other GED® Workforce graduates and became one of the LAYC-MMYC Prince George’s County 2019 GED® graduates. In front of program staff, family members, and friends, Lesly was able to accomplish her goal. She then celebrated her accomplishments with her family and her two young sons right alongside her.

After her graduation, Lesly went on to work for AmeriWell Chiropractic in Takoma Park. She also began to take classes that prepared her to work and be successful. Currently, she is now living on her own with her two sons. She credits her success to the hands-on support from the program staff and the love of her children and family members. “I feel so confident now that I have completed such a huge milestone. I know that whatever I do moving forward I can do!”