Car Donation in Vermont

Christian and his father have known many closed doors.

After a medical discharge from the US Army, Christian’s father began a heating and air conditioning business. For a time, the business grew, and things were going well.

Christian’s mother, however, had developed a worsening drug habit. His worried father often woke up in the middle of the night, fearing he would find her dead from an overdose.

“My father,” Christian says, “gave my mother an ultimatum: it was either us or the drugs.

“She chose the drugs,” he remembers.

When his mother made her choice, Christian was all of eight.

A month after she left, Christian’s father encouraged him to visit her at his grandmother’s home, where his mother had been staying. Though deeply disappointed in her and not wanting to see her, he went. He spotted the family vehicle in the driveway of his grandmother’s house, but when he knocked on the door, no one answered. Then, he spotted a window curtain move and plainly heard his mother’s voice: “Don’t open the door.”

Shortly thereafter, Christian’s father got sick with pancreatitis. He was weakened and unable to work. Christian had to learn to care for his father, cooking small meals and helping his father to and from the restroom.

Christian’s mother, meanwhile, gutted the family’s savings account.

With no savings and no income, Christian and his father eventually saw the electricity cut and the water shut off. Baths were taken using gallons of water purchased from the store, meals were cooked by the grill, and clothes went unwashed. Christian’s homework had to be done while the sun was still up. He was bullied at school for his unwashed clothes.

Thanks to the generosity of their local Catholic church, Christian and his father received enough money to turn the electricity and water back on. His father could pay for the medical treatment he needed. Christian and his father felt stronger in their faith, and they continued to enjoy cooking out on the grill—which had become a bonding activity for them.

During his junior year, Christian was doing well. He was keeping up with his studies and excelling in a welding program. However, their home of many years was falling apart. The landlord, unwilling to cover the costs of repairs prescribed by the housing authority, locked Christian and his father out of their home. They could not afford the deposit on a new place to live.

For a month, Christian and his father were homeless, and they slept behind dumpsters. When they did find an apartment, it was in bad shape. Need forced them to take it.

Two more obstacles stood in their way. Following multiple ignored requests to address the apartment’s safety hazards, Christian’s father tripped on the ripped carpet in their living room, injuring his knees and losing some mobility.

“I’d had enough,” Christian recalls. He felt that, because of his family’s limited resources, they were being overlooked. Motivated to right a wrong, he made a close study of the lease: the landlord was in violation of the Fair and Equal Housing Act. Christian took action. Thanks to his advocacy with the housing authority, Christian’s father’s medical expenses were covered by the property management’s insurance provider, and a state inspector made an inspection of the entire property.

Still there was the second obstacle. Because he had missed too many days of school during their month of homelessness, Christian faced repeating his junior year. It was a blow.

Friends told him about Texans Can Academies and its accelerated curriculum recovery. When he and his father came for enrollment, however, they thought they had encountered yet another closed door—the school required uniforms, and he and his father could not afford it. They prepared to walk away.

Thanks to the school’s Whole Student program, however, Christian’s uniform was paid for. The same day, the school’s principal met with Christian and his father and took them to lunch in the cafeteria.

“That meant a lot to us,” Christian says.

The very next day, Christian was able to start school and get back on track.

From then on, Christian experienced the school’s generous welcome. When food was scarce, he availed himself of the school’s food pantry, and, in the classroom, he found the academic support he needed.

“The staff at Can have been great. They have shown me so much hospitality. My history teacher, Mr. Rodriguez, helped and encouraged me. He was very straightforward and set high expectations for me.”

“Because of the Can, I didn’t have to repeat my junior year,” he says.

Christian graduated from Texans Can in June 2019, and, taking advantage of the GI Bill and a scholarship made possible by proceeds from an annual community luncheon, has enrolled in St. Philip’s College’s pre-law program.

Christian and his father continue to enjoy cooking out on the grill together, and, with faith in God, they both look forward to a future of open doors.

“I am thankful the Can was there for me. I know I have a lot more to give, and a lot more to achieve.”

I can honestly say that San Antonio Can was one of the most life changing times in my life.

Most students at Can are a little broken, lost, and alone. But we all realize that we slowly become a family.

Unlike other student stories, mine is pretty different. We all struggled in our previous schools. When you aren't engaged and when you feel left out, most will of course lose their drive. In school I just couldn't find my place.

At home my parents were on and off, my father was in and out, and my mother got lost in a hole of depression.

When my dad officially left, my sister chose to take his side in this ugly split and move with him. My mother lost herself, her job, and our home. She decided the best thing for her would be to go home, to Michigan, so she could be with her mother.

Trying to be the supportive daughter, I of course encouraged her to go. I knew that I personally had a place with my boyfriend and his family. I didn't want to return to Michigan. I had finally found a comfort zone here, with my boyfriend, who has and continues to support me through all of the hard times.

I told my mother if she wanted to take care of us she would need to begin to take care of herself again.

I started to lose my drive for education during my sophomore year. My grades definitely dropped, but I pushed through regardless of what was going on at home. I didn't want to draw any attention from my parents.

When my junior year started, my dad had moved out, my mother had lost her job and never left her room. I would leave for school in the morning, but I wouldn't stay longer than lunch time. I would barely make it to 3 classes every day, out of 7 classes that was pretty disappointing.

I tried to keep up with my other classes via email, but once Thanksgiving break approached a counselor informed me that I wouldn't receive my credits due to my lack of attendance. The first option that came to mind was to just give up. I was ready to just drop out. I was going to have to start junior year all over again. I didn't want to do that. I've never failed at anything in my life, and hearing that I was about to fail, it truly broke something inside of me. So I immediately started looking into what my alternative options were.

The counselor knew I wasn't going to school, and she didn't seem to believe that I would change my bad habit so she suggested online homeschooling.

It seemed easier to just push me out than have me start over there. I was sitting in the school library one morning and another student mentioned getting withdrawn from our current school, and transferring to a charter school.

She made it seem so easy, explaining that its half day and you can graduate faster even if you are currently behind. It was sounded perfect.

I didn't want to stay another minute at my school. That same day I had my mother come withdrawal me. As I was leaving the office the women made a snobby comment to me that went something like, “make sure to bring us your transcripts when you want to come back.” It was so discouraging that these women didn't believe I would succeed or that they thought I would regret my decision.

I truly believe that in that moment my fire sparked up again.

When I started at Can I quickly realized the speed in which you graduate is based on each individual student and their personal drive.

This school is extremely fast paced. Every single day there is equivalent to 3 days at your regular schools. It honestly comes down how to much you want to achieve your goals and how hard you are willing to work. The teachers at this school are truly the best teacher’s you’ll ever meet.

It was the middle of their second term and I caught up fast which was intriguing to them. My algebra teacher loved my ability to stand in front of the class and preach my method, or my solutions. I loved helping my classmates.

My English teacher became a women I could rely on and she encouraged my dreams. I loved the responsibility of helping with lesson plans and reading to my class. I loved that when I would explain or summarize the passages we just read, it made it easier for students to comprehend and even get interested.

In all honesty, the person who had made the greatest impact on my life, was my history teacher. He took a great interest in me when he saw my passion for education.

With his help, I received commended scores in all five of my Standardized State Tests. I spent half of my school day in his class, absorbing every ounce of knowledge possible. His class is where I learned what Can is all about.

We all come from different backgrounds, we all weren't successful in our previous schools, and we all needed this last chance to make it right.

Most students at Can are ready to overcome this last obstacle of childhood and graduate, especially because most of us are already dealing with adult like challenges.

If there was ever any doubt in your mind, I'm proud to say that this school has been the greatest blessing to us.

Yes, it is every student's individual choice to accept this kind of help. We all accept that we can't change our pasts and where we come from, but the teachers and staff are ALWAYS there.

They never give up on these kids. They believe in us, they fight for us, they encourage us and because of them, we all graduate wanting nothing more than to make them proud of the people we choose to become next.

In January, I graduated Salutatorian of my class. I remember the principal telling me that he had to do the math multiple times between the valedictorian and myself because we were so close.

Now I dream of becoming a teacher and helping students achieve their full potential. I hope to start at UTSA, next year and Graduate from UT with a masters in teaching and child development.

Everything I learned about the students and myself at Can, has only made my goals crystal clear.

There will always be children in need, of love and encouragement, and we all just need someone to believe in us.

My name is LaTasha Davis-Gomiller and I am a student at Austin Can! Academy. I am 20 years old and have a loving baby girl named Talaya and a wonderful husband, Milton. If it wasn''t for my husband being by my side and pushing me in the right direction, I wouldn''t be standing on that stage. I work full-time and am a full-time mom as well. I grew up in foster care, and it wasn''t easy. I made the best out of it and became a better person. I wasn''t always the easiest person to get along with, but with the right people and being a little scared straight, I got my life together and was given a blessing from God, my beautiful family. All my family helped me get to where I am today, I love them and thank them for everything that they have done for me.

I was trying and trying to find a school that would fit my work schedule and my budget. I couldn''t go back to public school because it was going to take me longer to get my diploma and get where I wanted to be in life. I tried an online school, but the cost got too much, so I dropped out. I was driving by Austin Can! one day and I saw their sign with a phone number, so I called and came in. I did what I had to do to get enrolled and start classes. I was a little scared because I didn''t know what to expect because I was due to have a baby soon, I wasn''t sure they would accept me. They did, and I give much love and thanks to Austin Can!.

What made me come back after having Talaya was the fact they had a home school for mothers that are trying to get their diploma until they can return to the campus. The teachers and advisors are so helpful and understanding of people''s situations and take their time to help any student in need, instead of turning their backs on them.

Austin Can! helped me to understand that I don''t have to be scared to ask for help, that''s what they are here for and I thank them for that. They helped me achieve one of my biggest goals in life and I am so proud to be where I am today. Thank you so much Austin Can! for everything that you have done for me.

For my future I want to go to college and become a social worker to help young children and teenagers that are in similar or different situations that I have experienced in my life. The simple point of having someone to be there and showing them that someone cares and they aren''t in this alone would be what I want to do with the rest of my life.  

I want to thank every teacher at Austin Can! for helping me to become a high school graduate!!!!

Eboni is a student at Fort Worth Can! Academy-Campus Drive . When her mother, Demisha, was asked why she chose to enroll Eboni at our campus when she could have attended school anywhere, she replied, “I loved the principal’s perspective on discipline. The school was structured and the teachers kept in contact with me if something was wrong as soon as it happened, instead of waiting for it to get out of hand.” 

“Eboni never complained about this school, she loved her teachers (especially Ms. Tambo), and her student advisor (Mr. Williams), who she still calls almost every week”, she added. While on campus, Eboni participated in the school’s Summer Leadership program and several activities offered by the campuses’ 21st century program. 

Eboni’s hardwork and tenacity in earning extra credits for advancement via summer school and PLATO allowed her to graduate one year ahead of schedule. She was chosen by Jarvis Christian College to attend their Summer Bridge program and was later awarded a scholarship to attend this fall.

She was bullied and sexually harassed. She wanted to tell someone, but was too ashamed. So she often considered suicide as her only solution.

“Middle school was very tough for me. I was bullied by other students. Girls and boys. I was the constant victim of sexual harassment. I tried to talk to my mom about it, but she wouldn’t listen. I needed help and she was just in another world.”

Tania needed someone to save her, but felt like a burden to her own mother.

“Sometimes I thought about how much better off my mom would be without me. I even considered taking my own life.”

“At that time it was hard to find someone who really cared about me. My teachers at my old school didn’t care if I succeeded or not. I was afraid to attend the high school in my neighborhood. I didn’t know if I’d be bullied even more by students who were so much bigger than me.”

“So I asked my mom if I could go to Texans Can Academies and I was really surprised when I got there. I found teachers who really cared about me.”

“I talk to my advisor almost every day and my history teacher, Mr. Vasquez, he inspires me to do more and be positive in life.”

“I’ve even participated in the Latinas in Progress program. I’ve received commended on two of my STAR tests - algebra and biology.”

“All of my experiences have helped shape me and I’m still learning. Since coming to Texans Can I care more about my grades, I socialize with people who have potential and goals. I’m more open to ideas and I’m just more mature.”

“Thanks to Texans Can I’m on my way to earning my high school diploma. In just a few months, I’ll be the first person in my family to graduate high school.”

“After that, my goal is to become a doctor by attending Texas A&M University or the University of North Texas. My advisor is even helping me look for scholarships. I want to be a doctor because of my experiences and because I want to help people. I want to save lives.”

“I know it won’t be easy, but with Texans Can Academies behind me I know I can do it. Maybe one day when I become a doctor, I can help people like Texans Can.”