$246,000 Raised

David’s Story

Woodbine Campus graduate David grew up in Texas, where he struggled in school due to dyslexia. He dropped out of high school after ninth grade, after he and his girlfriend learned they were expecting a baby. David worked hard to care for his young family, and over the years, he ran construction crews, owned automotive businesses, and managed rental properties. He always wanted to volunteer as a Big Brother, but his lack of a diploma was a barrier.

In 2024, David moved to Nashville with the intent to become a real estate agent. After passing all the necessary real estate exams, he discovered that he needed his High School Diploma to become licensed. Faced with this roadblock, he searched online and found Begin Anew. He showed up to our Woodbine campus and was paired with a tutor. He spent time studying, working with volunteers and staff, and practicing outside of the classroom. In the first two months, he passed his Science and Social Studies exams, and a couple of months later--to his surprise--he passed his Math exam! Reading and Language exams were the final tests for his diploma, but due to his dyslexia, they would be his biggest hurdles.

David continued to work hard with his tutors, and in 2025, he seized a new opportunity when Begin Anew began to offer access to the TABE exam onsite for Reading, Language, and Math. David was able to take these official exams at a Begin Anew campus, proctored by our Franklin Campus Program Manager--the first friendly face he had seen when he enrolled at Begin Anew! David passed his final two exams and received his high school equivalency diploma. His real estate exams had expired while he pursued his diploma, but he took and passed them a second time with even stronger scores. In June 2025, David walked across the Begin Anew stage in a cap and gown and received his high school diploma almost 50 years after he dropped out of high school. David is now a licensed real estate agent, and we continue to celebrate with him!

Crystal’s Story

Crystal has always dreamed of going to college. After dropping out of high school her senior year to better support her family, she knew that one day she would return. As a single mom of three, holding down two jobs, she had her hands full. When her kids were old enough, she found Begin Anew’s HSE program.

She enrolled, and it wasn’t easy, but she was determined to succeed. Shelley, our Online Coordinator, worked closely with Crystal, encouraging her along the way. Through the community she experienced at Begin Anew and support from her tutors, Crystal received her diploma in 2025!

“Earning this diploma represents strength, growth, and a new beginning for our family.”

Crystal is now making plans to attend college, a life--long dream of hers that was made possible because of your support.

Josefina’s Story

Josefina moved to the United States with the goal to expand her horizons and learn English. She studied accounting in college in Mexico. Now she works in housekeeping at a hotel, where she serves as a translator for guests who don’t speak English. If you get the chance to meet Josefina, you will see her outgoing and wonderful personality!

Josefina LOVES people and has a desire to be more active in her community. She is excited about learning English and the opportunities it will open for her to communicate more clearly and engage with her community, family, and at work!

You are helping Josefina’s dream come true through your generosity.

Shelley’s Story

Teaching has always been part of who Shelley is. She spent years as a college English professor before finding her way here, and last year, she joined the staff at Begin Anew as the coordinator of our online program.

One of our online students texted Shelley one afternoon. She’d been working through a reading lesson for a while and finally typed:

“I can’t do this. I think I want to give up.”

Most of our students come in full of hope. They want something better for their families, for their future. But at some point, doubt shows up. And when it does, that question rises to the surface.

Can I really do this?

“I can tell you the work matters, and none of it happens without people like you. Volunteers show up for our students every single day, across every campus, believing in people before those people believe in themselves. When you give to Begin Anew, you are the reason someone keeps showing up. You are the reason a tutor can sit across from a student who is ready to quit and say, ‘keep going!’

One student said it as plainly as I’ve ever heard it:
'These people are my friends now. I come here every week and I love it.'
That’s what belonging looks like. And I’ve seen it from both sides, first as a volunteer, and now as staff."