Kayla lives at Front Porch Housing, a three-year supportive housing program for individuals and families in crisis located just down the road from Greenville Literacy Association. She had tried online GED classes before, but they weren’t the right fit. When Front Porch CEO Lee Anne Cavin sat down with Kayla and told her she believed in her, Kayla decided it was time to try again.
She also had three important reasons to keep going: her children, ages 6, 8, and 10. Kayla wanted them to see that no matter what challenges life brings, she wasn’t giving up on her education.
Kayla’s original high school journey was interrupted by tragedy. After her family experienced a devastating house fire that took the life of one of her younger sisters, Kayla left school to help support her family while also caring for her own infant child.
Years later, Kayla was ready to write a new chapter. In recovery and living in stable housing, she enrolled in evening classes at GLA with a goal of earning her GED in time for graduation. Her mother—who is now working and pursuing her own education in welding—cared for Kayla’s children while she attended class. Kayla credits her mom, Lee Anne, and her support system at Front Porch with helping make her success possible.
With three GED subjects left to pass, Kayla stayed focused on her May deadline. When she missed passing Math by just one point and the Greenville testing center was full, she refused to let that stop her. She drove to Spartanburg to take the test—and passed.
Kayla says she pursued her GED because she wants to build a future without allowing her past to define her. Her advice to other students is to set boundaries, hold yourself accountable, and stay focused on your goals.
Now, Kayla is considering what comes next. Her love of cooking has inspired dreams of opening a restaurant, while her passion for caring for others has led her to consider nursing. For now, she is keeping an open mind and trusting that the right next step will reveal itself.