thrivelightsA mother, motivated to better support her daughter with autism, used Thrive Lights to set educational goals. Today she is pursuing a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education while balancing work and family.
Pursuing Education and Purpose in Michigan
A family of five in Michigan has always worked hard to create opportunities for their three daughters. Their oldest attended the Telamon program from birth until she turned five. In 2018, the mother completed her bachelor’s degree, a milestone she achieved while pregnant and raising her first child. Years later, when one of her daughters was diagnosed with autism, she faced a new question: how could she best prepare herself to support her child’s development and help children with different capacities?
A Mother’s Next Step
Through the Thrive Lights (locally called Aspire) assessment, the mother identified her next step. The indicator “I look to learn new skills” showed up yellow, reflecting the need to pursue further education. By pairing the assessment with SMART goals, she outlined a path forward: research programs, prepare applications, and commit to postgraduate study.
The process was not easy. Balancing parenting, full-time work, and household responsibilities with studying felt overwhelming at times. But when she thought back to her earlier achievement, she reminded herself:
“If I did it with my bachelor’s degree with a child and my spouse, there should not be any barriers to do it with three children now.”
This mindset helped her stay motivated. She told her daughters and colleagues the same message she lived by:
“It is never too late to come back to the education system.”
Moving Forward with Purpose
Over the course of a year, she worked steadily toward her goal. With encouragement from Center Directors, colleagues, and career advisors, she explored graduate programs, applied for scholarships, and prepared a reflective 250-word essay for her application. Despite receiving limited financial aid, she remained committed.
In August 2025, she was accepted and enrolled in a master’s program in Early Childhood General and Special Education. She registered for classes, ordered textbooks, and began her studies, determined to complete the two-year program.
Inspiring Change for Others
For this mother, Thrive Lights was not just about identifying challenges. It was about clarifying what mattered most, setting priorities, and staying focused on achievable goals. By taking action, she is not only advancing her own education but also becoming a stronger advocate for her daughter and a role model for her children.
Her determination shows how goals can turn obstacles into opportunities and how the right tools can help families stay focused on their vision for the future.
About Telamon | TRC
Telamon | TRC empowers families and disrupts the cycle of poverty by helping individuals build educational foundations, gain career skills, strengthen financial management, and secure affordable housing. With programs across multiple states, including Head Start early childhood education, workforce and career training, and housing and financial empowerment, Telamon partners with communities to create opportunities for families to thrive and build lasting legacies of success and well-being.