“More like a trampoline than a ladder”

The Ladders of Opportunity program has more than lived up to its name for Betzabé. “It has been a fabulous experience,” she says. “For me, it was more like a trampoline than a ladder.

Betzabé studied education and social work in Mexico's Guerrero state. She has degrees in both subjects. But when she moved to Chicago, she still felt like no-one would hire her.

Starting as a Parent Mentor Program at Shields Elementary School was a turning point, she says. “I was learning a lot at the weekly meetings and other workshops as well as from Brighton Park Neighborhood Council staff. It was fun and motivated me to keep learning. I felt I was starting to belong here as a parent mentor.

As she learned more, she reached out to find out how to participate in the Ladders of Opportunity program. The Ladders team supported her to obtain Special Education Classroom Assistant (SECA) credentials.

Ladders provided help with English classes, study aids and paid for program fees. The Ladders team also supported her through the Foreign Transcripts Evaluation process, which allowed Betzabé to receive credit for her prior degrees.

Today, Betzabé is working as a SECA in a special education classroom. She is also studying for two master's degrees. She wants to become a special education teacher for first and second graders.

Looking back, Betzabé is amazed at how far she has come. When she arrived in Chicago, she wondered if she would succeed at all. Now she has reached goals she has had her whole life. Her message to others who are in the Ladders program, or thinking about doing it, is simple: "Don't give up. You can do it!"