How a lifelong learner found the right path forward
Ben Kelley is 60 years old, a retired construction worker and a proud member of the Class of 2016. Kelley earned his high school diploma last year through Career Online High School, a program of the Oakland Public Library’s Second Start Adult Literacy Program.
“When I was younger, I had a lot of schooling and not a whole lot of learning,” Kelley says. “I went all the way through 11th grade and was totally illiterate.”
In 1996, he found Second Start Adult Literacy and began meeting with a tutor. Second Start’s flexible schedule and small classes worked for Ben as he continued working in factories and construction.
In 2013, Ben left construction after a health crisis. He found himself stuck. “I couldn’t pursue a new career without a GED or diploma.” He called Second Start for help and, together, they found the right path forward.
Today, Ben is attending Laney College. He still lights up when he points out the buildings in downtown Oakland he helped build. It’s a good metaphor for Ben’s approach to learning: He built his skills brick by brick, using every tool in his toolbox to achieve his goals. He’s the definition of a lifelong learner.
To learn more about Second Start, visit oaklandlibrary.org/SecondStart or call 510-238-3432.
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| Bay Area California | High School |
