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Yolanda Bedolla's Story 

Yolanda Bedolla joined the Appleton Even Start Family Literacy program in the fall of 2007 as the mother of two girls and an English language learner. She lacked confidence in her abilities to write and take tests, and she desperately wanted to enhance her parenting skills. A year later, she began working on her High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Yolanda grew as a student and a parent. She served as an interpreter for her class and for a reading program at the Appleton Public Library. She began to feel better about herself and her ability to help others, and she gained valuable academic skills.

 Yolanda Bedolla
Yolanda Bedolla
According to one of her instructors, “Yolanda became a role model for families in the program and her children by volunteering to help young students learn to read in her children’s school. She also joined an advisory board where she helped the Appleton Area School District develop its first bilingual school.”

Yolanda applied for a position and was hired by Kohl’s Department Store. She also worked as a playground supervisor at McKinley School. After Yolanda graduated with her HSED in March 2011, she quickly tested her new-found confidence and skills by applying for a job at the YMCA. She is currently teaching a class on the development of self-confidence and empowerment for girls, ages nine to fourteen. Yolanda’s commitment to helping others does not end there. She is involved with a local theatre group, Voices of Hope, where she narrates true stories about the struggles, hopes and dreams of Latino families as they adjust to their new lives in the Fox Valley.

Yolanda is very grateful to the Even Start Family Literacy program. She comments, “When I came to this program, I learned not only a love for education for myself, but also for my children. I was motivated to continue my education because I saw how much my children were learning. The instructors helped me believe in myself, and that gave me the confidence to continue. I also liked the closeness that developed among the teachers and families in the program. I gained valuable skills that I use each and every day. I will always be an advocate for Even Start Family Literacy. As a very grateful recipient of this program, I want to give back to my community wherever

   Maintained by:

   Kathleen Riske

   Last Modified:
   11/20/2012 2:07:40 PM