In the past four years, Jenifer Williams bounced between three Duluth high schools and an online program before dropping out.
The 18-year-old Janesville, Wis., native struggled with traditional high school and was mired in family issues that caused her to lose focus. She found her footing through a Life House youth center program, and on Friday celebrated earning her General Educational Development certificate in an outdoors Life House graduation ceremony.
"None of my family has graduated from high school," Williams said. "I thought the GED way was better than having nothing."
Life House, which serves underprivileged youth by providing housing and educational services, holds a graduation ceremony each year.
"When we graduated, most of us had the opportunity to graduate in a big auditorium or a gym," said Kim Crawford, interim executive director of Life House. "The majority of these kids are getting GEDs, and don't have that."
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Williams, who celebrated with 14 others Friday, earned her certificate through the Y.E.S. Duluth program at Life House. She credits her teacher, Elizabeth Thiede, for encouraging her to finish.
"Elizabeth wasn't the kind of teacher who pushed you to be there, but she gave you options, was friendly about it and helped you understand you needed to get it done," Williams said.
Beyond providing basic survival needs, Life House also attempts to integrate youth into the community, Crawford said.
"This is a first step, and this is a huge step," she said.
Cheyenne Williams (no relation to Jenifer) also received a GED certificate and spoke during the ceremony. A user of the teen parent, housing and educational programs, she shared her trials of raising a 2-year-old daughter on her own.
Without the help she received through Life House, she
wouldn't have become the mother she is today, she said.
Jenifer Williams plans to attend Lake Superior College to study criminal justice in the fall, and wants to attend a four-year school after that. Her experience with Life House helped her regain confidence that was hurt while growing up by negative remarks from her father.
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"I can finally say I accomplished something," she said. "I am sending a copy of my GED to my father and his family."
