Adult education gives father a second chance
Fernando gave himself a second chance at a good life through adult education.
If it wasn’t for one teacher, Fernando might be on a very different path today. On the surface he was leading a normal life. He was married with a family. He worked construction and was a union member for more than 25 years. But he was also hiding a dark secret — he was an intravenous drug user and had been shooting methamphetamine, or “meth,” since he was 16. Going back to school turned his life around and gave him a second chance.
“I am so thankful my teacher pushed me … it can really make a difference between living with doubt to moving forward with life.”
Fernando
Fernando first got into construction after being kicked out of high school. A self-described “troubled kid,” he says he never looked back and went straight to work with his father in the construction business. Almost 30 years later, he wasn’t able to complete his duties at work as easily as he once had and his drug use was becoming more of a problem. Fernando knew he needed a second chance. In 2009, his son was involved in an accident that had a sobering effect on Fernando. He went clean that year and stayed clear of people that were bad influences. He also decided to go back to school. “After my son had an accident, I stayed by his side at the hospital until he recovered and it was a real wake-up call. I realized how much my family needed me and how much they depended on me.”
Fernando contacted Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center and registered for GED classes. While he was enrolled, he shared his story with his teacher, Patricia Bradshaw, who became a source of hope and strength for him and urged him to get tested for HIV/AIDS. He had always wondered if the years of drug use would ever catch up to him. He was consumed with doubt, but the results finally set him free. “When I found out I was clean, it was a huge burden lifted,” Fernando says. “After years of sharing needles, the fact that all I came away with was diabetes is just amazing.”
With a renewed sense of purpose and dedication, he quickly moved through the program earning his GED just four months later. From there, he entered the medical assistant training program, learning valuable skills that made him more marketable to potential employers. Fernando graduated from that program a little over a year later, finding a second chance and a job as a patient services representative for the Sacramento Native American Health Center. Thinking back to where he was just a few years ago, Fernando says he’s thankful for everything that adult education has done for him and his family. He encourages others in similar positions to believe in themselves.
“Just set realistic goals and push yourself,” Fernando says. “And especially if you’ve messed around with drugs, I think it’s really important to get tested. I am so thankful my teacher pushed me to do that, and it can really mean the difference between living with doubt to moving forward with life.”
For more information, go to www.capitaladulted.org.
Written by Mike Blount
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| Northern California | Careers in Health Care – High School |
