The list of barriers, obstacles, and setbacks Rose has faced in her life is long, and it seems to leave nothing out. A rape survivor and single mother, she experienced homelessness and addiction as well. Her mother and father, who struggled with their own addiction and mental health issues, passed away within six months of each other, both before the age of 50.
Rose and her children have been helped by Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, Vermont, where she has stayed in a shelter and used their internet connection to work on her psychology degree online. Rose has also graduated from a Getting Ahead group funded and facilitated by Upper Valley Haven. Getting Ahead helped her identify resources of hers that are strong and resources she can work on.
Upper Valley Haven offers a follow-up to Getting Ahead called Forward Bound, and Rose is a part of it. The group focuses on the future, helping Getting Ahead graduates build the future stories they envisioned during the Getting Ahead investigations. After she gets her degree, Rose hopes to work with an organization that builds understanding in the community.
For even more about Getting Ahead, check out this video from Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. The report looks into the Getting Ahead program provided in nearby Youngstown, Ohio.
