My name is Claudia, and I am currently enrolled in the integrated photonics certificate program. Since the beginning of the program, I have been very thankful for every opportunity that has come my way. From being accepted and being able to meet the professors has been truly amazing. When Melissa Ratliff (Director of Graduate Admission, Stonehill College) contacted me and told me about the amazing donations you had contributed, I was so amazed and thankful.
I am a single mother of twins who are three. I became a mother at 20 years old and I did not have my diploma or anything really going for myself. Around the beginning of 2018, I finally had got my HiSET and knew school was something I wanted to complete. I always knew I wanted to go to college, but I never felt like I was good enough or would even be accepted into a college.
Towards the end of 2018, I had to put me and my kids in an emergency shelter. At that moment, I gave up on my education. They placed us in a few different shelters for the first year until we were placed in Brockton, MA. I was far away from my family, my friends, and I felt so alone.
One day I woke up and told myself this is not the life I want, and I started attending MassHire in Brockton. I was going to MassHire for 6 months when the director informed me of an amazing opportunity that was going to ultimately change me and my children’s lives forever. They kept telling me I was a perfect candidate because I was so intrigued with mathematics and science. I went full force to get into the program and when I finally got accepted, my life changed! My home life was hard, but when I was in class, I felt in my element. I felt like I had a purpose.
When class stared, I realized my struggles at home were going to affect my class work. Finding someone to watch the babies has been a struggle and getting back and forth to classes once in-person classes started was even more of a struggle. I did not have my permit. I barely make enough money from welfare to afford the extra money for the bus. There were some points where I wanted to give up so many times, and then I looked at my kids and realized this struggle will come and go. That is when I put my faith in god’s hands and that was the best decision I made thus far.
When Melissa Ratliff called me and told me how you came together and wanted to pay off my license and offer me a computer, I was shocked. I have never been one to ask for help, so to be offered anything was breathtaking. I could not even begin to express how thankful and lucky I was and still am. I cannot thank you enough or show my gratitude. I am truly blessed/grateful to be enrolled in this program! Everyone has helped me in more ways than I could ever imagine. Your donations helped me get my permit and soon to be my license. Me and my children are so grateful. You have changed mine and their lives and I wanted to give thanks for everything.
Thank you for the help and helping me prosper!
Sincerely with much love,
Claudia and family
“‘Math is my favorite subject…’ is what I remembered Claudia saying when we met for the first time. When Claudia came into our MassHire Greater Brockton YouthWorks Center back in February 2020, she was eager to find an occupational training program that concentrated on mathematics. So, when I heard about the Photonics program through Mellissa Ratliff, I knew right away this opportunity was perfect for Claudia because she already possessed the necessary advanced math skills needed to succeed in the Photonics program!”
–David Vincent, MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board, Assistant Director of YouthWorks Brockton
The Advanced Manufacturing & Integrated Photonics Certificate is a certificate program offered through Stonehill College.
To learn more about how MassHire may be able to assist you with placement on your own career pathway contact you local MassHire Career Center today!
