September 17, 2026
D. graduated high school in 2026 and was working at McDonald’s when a GRIT coach encouraged him to attend the summer CNA academy. He quickly became a classroom favorite. As the son of a father who is newer to the reentry community, D. received additional support through the PRS grant, helping remove some of the barriers in his way.
After a coaching session, D. decided his next step would be enrolling in A-Tech’s LPN program, and he’s now working toward it.
What makes D.’s story stand out is who’s walking it with him. His mother has worked hard as a single parent, raising three kids largely on her own—and she’s also a nurse, a graduate of A-Tech’s Knoedler School of Nursing. After years of working and raising her family, she decided it was her turn to go back, enrolling in the Knoedler bridge program to become an RN.
Now, mother and son ride to school together every morning, splitting the gas and sharing the road toward two nursing careers at once.
D. and his mother are both proud members of the GRIT family, and we’re honored to support them as they build a future together.
