By Sarah Bellafiore
Growing up can be challenging and it has been especially hard for Destiny, a 16-year-old junior attending the University of Texas–University Charter School on the MCH Waco campus.
“I wasn’t safe and didn’t have friends for so long,” Destiny said. “Now I’m finally comfortable, safe and happy where I am.”
Through a collaboration with a local like-minded organization, Destiny enrolled in the Day Student program at MCH and has caught up on her academic coursework. The trauma-informed classrooms and staff at the charter school are also supporting Destiny as she learns to advocate for herself.
“I have definitely grown a lot as a person since I became a Day Student,” Destiny said. “I’m not as nervous to be myself around others and I’m able to share my interests.”
She’s not afraid to share her voice anymore, either – something Day Student program staff said is key in Destiny’s continual growth and healing.
“Destiny used to be very quiet and didn’t speak up,” said Amy Grisham, director of school support. “Now she comes to us if she wants to address something. She initiates conversations with her peers. Destiny knows how important her voice is and I’m glad she’s found it.”
Destiny described how she has also found another home within the Day Student program.
“Everybody here treats me like family,” she said. “Students don’t have to come with their guard up. Staff treat me with respect and don’t look at me any different because of my past. They only want to care for me.”
That care extends to students’ families, as well. MCH believes it is important to build connections with families and to meet the needs of the whole student, not just in the classroom.
“We have talked a lot with Destiny’s aunt, who is very invested in her education and well-being,” said Allyson Welch, Day Student case manager. “Our work to connect beyond the classroom also shows youth and their families there are people here who care for them. There is a whole community of people who want the best for our students and families.
“I am a firm believer that it really does take a village to help youth flourish,” Welch added. “Destiny’s story is one of many that proves what we are doing here with our partnering organizations works.”
After graduation, Destiny hopes to attend Texas Southern University to study business administration.
“I want to be my own boss,” she said. “I think I will be able to run a business smoothly. I enjoy hairdressing, so I’ve thought about owning my own beauty salon where I can rent out spaces for others to use. If it weren’t for my grandmother and aunt, I wouldn’t be where I am today, dreaming big.”
In offering hope through meaningful and life-changing support, those closest to Destiny said she is flourishing “and knows where she is going in life.”
“It means the world to me to see Destiny’s transformation,” Welch said. “It took strength and resiliency to get to where she is today.”
“Destiny continues to prove she can overcome anything,” Grisham said. “She was a totally different person when she walked through our doors. Destiny has learned to trust again – that takes a lot of courage.”
Flashing her “award-winning smile,” Destiny shared she hopes to apply that same courage while embarking on all sorts of adventures in her future.
“I want to travel,” she said. “I want to do crazy, fun things like bungee jumping. I want to taste foreign foods. I want to truly live life so when I’m older, I can look back and say I did those things.” •
MCH launched the Day Student program in 2012 for students in Waco and surrounding communities needing a smaller academic setting. Day Students are eligible to participate in all extracurricular activities such as athletics, summer camp, homecoming, and prom. Day Student graduates also have access to Transition Services and Independent Living resources, including scholarships for college or vocational school. The program maintains a 100 percent graduation rate. For more information about the Day Student program at MCH, call the school office at (254) 750-2600 to speak with Clarence Degrate, Day Student program coordinator, or Allyson Welch, Day Student case manager.
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