2014 Champion Shelly Hachey

GELA Success Story

Thirty-year-old Shelly Hachey admits she didn't always make the best choices when it came to education.  Her early life was complicated and she grew up in foster care.

But having a daughter and caring for her great-nephew inspired her to go back to school.

"You can always come back from bad choices and anyone can succeed if they try. Being a single mother, I needed to improve myself for things to get better. I wanted to change my life."

With a goal to provide a home for her family, Shelly says she will do what it takes to get there.

Working with the teaching staff at Grand Erie Learning Alternatives, Shelly completed the equivalency course she needed to earn her Grade 12 diploma. The next step was enrolling in Mohawk College's Social Service Worker program.

She thinks the program is a wonderful fit.

"Having grown up as a Crown Ward and in foster care, it feels great to have the skills and education to go into social work."

Story by Jaymie Nelson

Photo by Keepsake Photography