Be SomeOne Now Success Story:  Victoria Juarez, age 19

   Victoria was attending GED classes in Bluffton, but was struggling to maintain good attendance when the GED instructor referred her to Julie Monce, Young Adult Advocate for Wells, Huntington, Wabash, Grant, and Adams Counties.  When Julie first met with Victoria, Victoria was very emotional about her current situation and informed Julie that she couldn’t do it and wanted to give up on her educational goals.  When Julie asked why, Victoria informed her that she was kicked out of the place she was living.  Victoria had then asked her mother if she could move back home, but her mother told her that she couldn’t because her mother’s boyfriend didn’t like Victoria.  Victoria was homeless.

    Julie informed Victoria about the Be SomeOne Now program, and Victoria agreed to participate in the program and continue with GED classes. Julie helped Victoria find a women’s homeless shelter in Huntington, and provided her transportation to Be SomeOne Now sessions on Saturdays. In just three months Victoria completed the Be SomeOne Now sessions, earned her GED credential, acquired a job, enrolled for college courses at Ivy Tech, and now has her own apartment. While Julie’s efforts cannot go unnoticed, it is Victoria’s drive and ambition to change her life that has fueled her success. Victoria would like to complete college and “be like Julie” when she completes her degree.