HPOG Success Story: Lindsay at the Community College of Allegheny County

Publication Date: April 8, 2020
Current as of:

Lindsay smiles in her nurse uniform holding her sonPittsburgh, PA

There when she needed it the most.

At the age of 18, Lindsay was living in a two-bedroom, section 8 apartment in Pittsburgh with her 4-year-old son. She became a single mom at the age of 14 and wanted a better life for her family. She struggled as a server in a restaurant, making only $2.83 per hour with tips. She took nursing prerequisite classes in the little spare time she had. She dreamed of becoming a nurse but struggled with childcare and transportation.

She learned about the Pathway to Success in Healthcare HPOG program through the Community College of Allegheny County's (CCAC) website. Lindsay stated, "I knew I wanted to be successful but didn't have many resources to do so until I found HPOG. HPOG has changed my life in many ways."  HPOG allowed her to put her son in a great daycare while she was in school so she could focus and have more time to study. They also provided a team of people to help Lindsay through the tough times, including Dave, her support specialist.

One day Lindsay was in Dave's office having a full anxiety attack. She was stressed about the multiple tests she had that week, and in tears over the many things going on at home. Dave listened and made suggestions to help Lindsay get back on track. She said, "I wasn't sure what I needed at that moment but looking back I just needed someone to tell me they were there for me, and to support me, which he did."

With every small victory of passing an exam, or making it through another week, Lindsay felt the encouragement from the HPOG staff. She graduated from the nursing program at CCAC with an associate degree in nursing. She is now a licensed nurse and working as an Intensive Care Unit nurse.

The program gave her much more than she expected. She said, "HPOG provided support when I needed it the most."

Lindsay now makes $26 per hour as a Registered Nurse with full benefits for her family. She recently bought a home in a great school district and can provide stability for her now 6-year-old son.

This success story was self-identified by the grantee and information contained in this document was provided by the grantee.