Ready to Pursue a Lifelong Dream of Counseling Families in Need, May 2009
By: Ligia Martinez, Student at Hispanic Unity Family Literacy Academy
Family Literacy Academy student Ligia Martinez and daughter Carol Suarez
My greatest goal and ambition is to be fluent in English so I can become a psychologist and eventually obtain a doctorate. As a mother it worries me to see the behavior of children and young people in schools. In fact, their behaviors are so bad that it had generated a series of sorrowful deeds in schools, even taking their own lives. I believe counseling is important not only for the student but also for the parents and society.
My grade school, high school and college education have all been done in Peru. When I came to the US with my six-year old daughter, I brought many fantasies and illusions of triumph to this country of many opportunities. However, I experienced many difficulties in the beginning because I did not have legal status in the US and even though my husband was a permanent resident, he was not a US citizen. I dedicated myself to help him and his company. I worked very hard alongside him. Then, the birth of my daughter, Carol, made me adapt to a new lifestyle, leaving my husband’s work and dedicating myself only to my family.
This year I was able to start focusing on my career goals with Carol by my side at Hispanic Unity. I am eternally grateful to Hispanic Unity for my first real opportunity to get my first and most valuable steps to education in this country. It was a blessing to spend time with my daughter during PACT activities. I enjoyed playing with her and supporting her learning. I am very interested in creating good educational opportunities for my daughter.
In the fall, my daughter will start preschool and I will start college at Ana G. Mendez University. I am overjoyed to be pursuing a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling while perfecting my English. Thank you to my area Family Literacy Academy for helping me to achieve my dreams!