Catholic Charities Creates a Path for Students

By SARAH VETTER

Lucy is a single mother of two beautiful kids. She moved from Mexico five years ago and shares that the first two years living in Minnesota were not easy.

She says, “Coming to a different country, leaving family and friends behind, was very difficult. After my second child turned one year old, I knew that I had to start working on bettering our future. That’s when I decided to go back to school. For me, education has always been the key to open opportunities in life.”

Lucy first enrolled in Hawthorne Education Center to learn English. She says, since that first step, it has been difficult. She had ups and downs but kept moving forward.

In 2022, Lucy was accepted into the nursing program at Rochester Community and Technical College, and she felt that everything was moving positively until she learned that she would need to take classes full-time in the nursing program.

Up until that time, she had been taking classes part-time and working full-time, in order to provide for her family. She cut her work hours in order to pursue her nursing degree and applied for various scholarships but was denied. Lucy was discouraged by the lack of scholarships and worried about her future in school.

Catholic Charities is currently accepting applications from students who will be starting an associate’s degree or diploma in the healthcare field.

She applied for Catholic Charities’ Onward and Upward program in the spring of 2022, but the program was already full for the semester. Lucy reports that since her application was not denied, she had hope, and reapplied the following semester.

She was thrilled to be accepted into Onward and Upward to receive mentoring, a monthly scholarship, and emergency financial assistance.

“I was so happy when I got the news. This program helped me to get where I am at and where I am going. All I can say is that this program not only helps us students financially, but all the emotional support, caring and kindness that this program offers, goes beyond words. I am so blessed to be part of this program.”

Lucy was relieved to learn that Onward and Upward would continue for six months after graduation, while she took her licensing boards and applied for jobs. She and her social worker at Catholic Charities continued to work on her personal and professional goals.

She graduated in December 2023 and says, “The support I have received from [my social worker] has been amazing. I passed my boards and have started a new position in the hospital as a Dialysis RN!”

Lucy’s children, now 6 and 9, were able to watch their mother pursue her dreams in order to provide a better life for her children.

The Onward and Upward program works with families like Lucy's in Rochester and Mankato to help single parents earn a degree in the healthcare field. Through the support of generous donors, Catholic Charities is lifting families out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. Dozens of participants like Lucy are now working in the healthcare field, giving back to their communities and showing their children the importance of education, dedication and hard work.

Catholic Charities is currently accepting applications from students who will be starting an associate’s degree or diploma in the healthcare field. Eligible applicants are single parents, Pell grant eligible, enrolled in the healthcare field, and living in the Mankato or Rochester area. Students may apply online at www.ccsomn.org/onwardandupward/ or call 507-287-2047 for more information.

This program would not be possible without generous individuals who believe in our students and donate to our program. Thank you for your incredible support.

Sarah Vetter is the Director of Child & Family Services for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota