Meet Sharon

Two years ago, Sharon moved to New Jersey from Indiana during a period of extreme crisis in her life. She lost her job, she and her husband lost their house, their marriage ended and she suddenly found herself a single mother with a six month old son. Fortunately, she was able to move in with her mother until she could “get back on my feet again.”

Sharon could be considered an early victim of the economic devastation now facing this country. Although she had an abundance of work experience and a variety of skills (as a licensed cosmetologist, a medical assistant and in construction management), because of unemployment, she found it necessary to continue her education in order to change careers. She is now pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Gloucester County College.

Currently employed part-time at GCC’s Senior Corps as a volunteer placement coordinator, this additional education will hopefully become her pathway to a full time position in community service. She also teaches basic computer skills to seniors.

The LRAF scholarship represents “a hand up to better myself and my family”.

“I feel that this is the right direction in my life,” said Sharon “and I thank God every day for the opportunities I have been given.”