Success through determination . . .

"I don't want to be a statistic. I want to change and overcome the odds and make something of my life. MJC is helping me to do this."

Crystal remembers being told by a staff member in high school that she would never amount to anything, so it was especially sweet being chosen the 2008 "Most Improved Student" by the CARE program at MJC. However, this success has not come easily and there have been moments when she wondered how she would survive and feed her children. She's struggled to overcome disadvantages, mistakes, difficulties and a lack of self confidence in her ability to succeed at college. Her courage and determination to persevere is inspiring.

Crystal dropped out of high school during her sophomore year and left home to live with her boyfriend and have her first child. The mother of three eventually found herself in a deteriorating domestic situation and deepening depression. Determined to start over, she left her boyfriend, resigned from her job and enrolled at MJC in spring of 2006. However, two of Crystal's children were born with a rare form of hemophilia, and their pressing medical needs forced her to quit college during the 2007 spring semester. When she ran into CARE staff member Bryan Justin Marks, he told her to never give up and urged her to return to MJC as soon as possible.

Crystal did come back that following summer and was surprised by how genuinely happy Marks was to welcome her back to the program. While she credits CARE's special services and support with enabling her to stay in school, it is the staff members that motivate her to persist in her studies and perform so well. She says that the EOP&S staff is like a second family to her. "You walk in and they greet you with a big smile, and they are always there for you."

She is also amazed about how understanding and accommodating her MJC professors have been. At the beginning of each semester she explains her children's medical situation to her professors and warns them that they can start to bleed at any time, requiring her to leave class to rush them to the hospital. "I've had wonderful teachers who have called to check on me and see if I need more time to turn in assignments," remarks Crystal. "Last December, when my daughter had surgery, two professors called the hospital to show support."

After working for the Merced County jail, Crystal decided she wanted to become a parole officer, choosing to major in Criminal Justice, and she plans to transfer to California State University, Stanislaus to attain a Bachelor's degree in this field. "I really want to help other women see that they can change. As a parole officer I can influence that change and encourage them not to go back to the same lifestyle."
Crystal also wants to demonstrate to her children that they can achieve anything through determination and effort. She hopes to send them the powerful message that education is important and is helping them develop good study habits by setting aside time for the whole family to do homework together. "I've been blessed with three children and they fill me with strength. I see them struggle in the hospital and I know that I must never give up. I'm setting an example for them."