As a first generation college student, being able to meet with supportive counselors and staff through the CalWORKs Program has helped me. I was accepted into a very competitive Dental Hygiene program, which only offered 16 seats in 2016. Today, I am the first of my class to complete the program requirements and received my license as a Registered Dental Hygienist as of November, 2018!

For me, being a hygienist means that I am able to create my working schedule around my kids and fully support my family, while being an active member in my community to fight oral disease. Since there are no medical or dental benefits as a part time hygienist, I decided to continue my education to obtain a bachelor’s degree so that I may one-day return to Pasadena City College and teach dental hygiene in the clinical setting.

The CalWORKs program has blessed me with the value of community and having a strong support system.

I will forever be grateful for all the assistance I received through CalWORKs in order to fulfill my educational goals. CalWORKs has helped make education a priority for my children and I, as it reminded me my goals for my family are important and gave me hope for the future. CalWORKs kept me engaged by regularly providing interesting workshops, holiday and end-of the-year events for my family to attend, checking in each semester through my counselor, and always providing a safe and supportive place I can easily stop by on my school campus. The Calworks program made sure I was on a path to success!