The Courage to Begin Again

In her 50s, Lavone chased a dream that many thought was out of reach. Lavone first walked through the doors of Springtown Center of Hope looking for groceries. What she found was a place of hope, healing, and opportunity.

Growing up in Grand Prairie, Lavone’s childhood was marked by abuse and instability. She dropped out of school in the 8th grade, became a mother at just 16, and had 3 children by the age of 19. With no safe place to return to and no support system, finishing school was never an option. She stayed in an abusive relationship for 6 years. In her early 20s, she tried to take some classes, but her partner’s control turned violent. After one severe beating, the police were called, and that moment became a turning point. She walked away and never looked back.

In searching for help with groceries, Lavone found Center of Hope. She discovered GED tutoring was available — and decided to give her education a second chance after more than 3 decades.
Starting again at 49 was daunting, but with the support of Pat, Adult Education Coordinator, and Steve, her GED tutor, Lavone stuck with it. She says it was her stubbornness that kept her going, and the love and encouragement she felt at Center of Hope that made the journey possible.

This July, after 3.5 years of perseverance, Lavone proudly earned her GED. Her journey is a testament to courage and the power of community support. She is living proof that it’s never too late to dream again and to achieve what once felt impossible. As she puts it, “Don’t let your age or your past stop you. It’s never too late.”