In 2022, Silvana Guerrero’s plans to graduate from high school were derailed by family emergencies and the loss of a close loved one. The challenges took a toll, and she was unable to finish school. For the next couple of years, she felt stuck, without a diploma or job experience finding work seemed out of reach.
At 19, Silvana learned about Goodwill North Central Texas’ Education & Employment (E2) program, which offers young adults a chance to earn their high school equivalency diploma while gaining paid work experience. She enrolled in December 2024, determined to change her future.
Starting the program wasn’t easy. Silvana faced both financial and transportation barriers, but with support from the E2 team and Workforce Solutions, she received testing and transportation vouchers, as well as a paycheck through her work experience. By June 2025, she proudly earned her High School Equivalency diploma becoming the first in her family to reach that milestone. She says she’s especially proud to set a positive example for her nieces and nephews, who look up to her.
But Silvana’s journey didn’t stop there. Motivated by her success, she enrolled in the Texas School of Phlebotomy to pursue a career in healthcare. In just seven months, she went from being unemployed and uncertain to a driven student on a clear career path.
Silvana now encourages others to take advantage of every opportunity for support. “Use all the resources available to you and speak up for yourself when you need help,” she says. “There is so much you can do and so much support available.”