Shaun Stays on Track

When CISTN program manager Ms. Ivory first met Shaun last year during his junior year at Stratford High School, they initially bonded over their shared interests in fashion and cosmetology. Then over summer break, Shaun’s mother moved out of state, leaving him without stable housing. This housing instability led to transportation issues, causing Shaun’s attendance to decline.

Once Ms. Ivory learned about Shaun’s circumstances, she collaborated with the social worker to address his housing and transportation issues. She provided Shaun with clothing, food, and personal care items. She also offered a listening ear whenever Shaun needed to talk about his life. When he got discouraged, she cheered him on and encouraged him to keep coming to school and stay focused on graduating early. She also supported him in developing a business plan he could pursue after graduating.

Despite the obstacles he faced, Shaun’s hard work paid off. He graduated a semester early with a 3.4 GPA and recently purchased his own car—an important step toward independence that he achieved through his small business. With Ms. Ivory’s support, he prepared for interviews and applied to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) to pursue cosmetology.

Shaun’s story isn’t an outlier: Right now, 242 high school seniors we serve are applying to colleges, scholarships, and jobs over the next few weeks. Will you donate today to ensure that students like Shaun have the support they need to start their college and careers strong?

Shaun shows off his cosmetology work.