When Barbara arrived at Carver Academy as a junior, graduation felt uncertain.

After moving from New York to Virginia in fifth grade, Barbara experienced a significant culture shock. She missed the hustle and bustle of the city, finding the slower pace of Chesterfield County to be foreign and unfamiliar. By the time she reached high school, she had begun spending time with the wrong crowd at Meadowbrook High School, which contributed to growing challenges with school. Attendance became one of her biggest obstacles, and there were weeks at a time when she simply did not go.

“I was doing really bad and needed a change,” Barbara said.

Barbara’s connection to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield (CIS-C) began years earlier at Falling Creek Middle School. There, she got to know former CIS-C Site Coordinator Carlos Marti through friends he was supporting. Although she was not on his caseload, the brief conversations they shared left a lasting impression.

“Even our short conversations made me feel good about myself,” Barbara recalled.

Later, at Meadowbrook High School, Barbara received support from a CIS-C Site Coordinator, reinforcing what she had already begun to learn: that there were caring adults who wanted to see her succeed.

That support continued when Barbara transferred to Carver Academy and connected with CIS-C Site Coordinator Mary Thompson. Barbara describes Mary as “amazing” and “a blessing.”

“She always listens to me, helps me stay on task, and watches over me,” Barbara shared. “I think I would be down the gutter if she wasn’t here.”

Together, Barbara and Mary focused on two key goals: improving attendance and staying on top of academics. The transition wasn’t easy, but Barbara was motivated by the support of both her mother and Mary.

“Hearing my mom cry at night because she was worried about me really hurt,” Barbara said. “That made me want to change.”

Little by little, Barbara began to turn things around.

She began to attend to school every day, a total shift from missing long periods of school. When she needed a quiet place to focus, Mary opened her office so Barbara could catch up on assignments and stay on track. With consistent encouragement and accountability, Barbara developed stronger habits and renewed confidence in herself.

One of Barbara’s proudest accomplishments was completing three night school classes to ensure she graduated on time. For months, she attended school from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Her perseverance paid off.

Beyond academics, Barbara says the support she received through CIS-C helped transform her mindset and relationships.

“I have a better mentality overall,” she said. “Being at Carver makes me happier.”

She also credits her experience and guidance from Mary with helping her build stronger relationships with others, including a healthier relationship with her parents. 

This fall, Barbara will attend Brightpoint Community College to study civil engineering. Inspired by her love of math and drawing, and encouraged by her grandfather, an engineer, she is excited to pursue a career where she can combine both interests.

Her long-term dream is to return to New York and build a successful future in civil engineering.

Barbara’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support, determination, and someone who believes in you, it is possible to overcome obstacles and create a brighter future.

Thanks to the partnership between Barbara, her family, and CIS-C, she is crossing the graduation stage ready to build the life she has always imagined.

You can be a part of future students’ graduation success! To invest in the class of 2027, make your donation to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield today!