For Alejandra Molina-Rivera, family has always been her driving force. A devoted mother of two, she put her children’s needs above all else—even if it meant putting her own dreams on hold.
Alejandra’s journey wasn’t easy. When she became pregnant with her first child in high school, she made the difficult decision to drop out and focus on raising her daughter. Years later, after having her son, she realized she wanted to do more—not just for herself, but for them. “I wanted to make them proud and be a good example,” she shared. Determined to earn her GED, she enrolled in multiple programs over the years but faced setbacks that forced her to leave before she could complete her goal.
Despite the challenges, Alejandra never gave up. On January 25, 2024, she enrolled in Goodwill North Central Texas’ A-Squared Program, determined to finally earn her high school equivalency diploma. The road was tough—relearning subjects she had studied 30 years ago was no small task. English, being her second language, added another hurdle, especially in the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) exam. She failed it twice, but she refused to let that stop her.
“After eight months of hard studying, I failed one exam out of the four, but that didn’t bring me down. It gave me more strength to continue,” Alejandra said.
One of her biggest supporters was Bradley Leake, her A-Squared instructor. Not only did he dedicate extra time to help her master the material, but he also assisted her with personal challenges outside the classroom. When Alejandra’s son struggled at school, Bradley helped her research new options and secure a spot for him at a charter school in Arlington.
“I am grateful to Goodwill NCT and especially my teacher, Mr. Bradley. I would not have been able to do it without him. He always helped me and pushed me not to give up. He certainly helped me with a lot of love, and I will always remember him,” Alejandra said.
After nine months of relentless dedication, Alejandra passed her exams and received her High School Equivalency Certificate on October 24, 2024. The joy of her achievement was shared by her children, who had always believed in her success.
But Alejandra didn’t stop there. She set new goals—applying for a job as a teacher’s aide in Arlington Independent School District and becoming a U.S. citizen. In just a month and a half, she accomplished both. On December 10, she officially became a U.S. citizen, and by December 12, she started onboarding as a substitute teacher and teacher’s aide with Arlington ISD.
“After 30 years, I achieved my dream, and I’m very grateful for life. Now I can find a better job and maybe continue my education even further,” she said.
Alejandra’s story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of community support. Through Goodwill’s A-Squared Program, she not only changed her own future but also set an inspiring example for her children and others striving to achieve their dreams.