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Turning Her Life Around

"I didn't really have any plans for my future when I joined Twin Cities RISE!."

Before Patrice started taking classes at Twin Cities RISE! in March of 2006, she thought she had reached the bottom. She had recently returned home to the Twin Cities area after finding out she was going to lose her job in downsizing. A week later, Patrice got a phone call that her father was ill. She had lost contact with him after her parents' divorce, "I hadn't seen my father for about three years and hadn't spoken with him in two years," Patrice recalled, "after he and my mother divorced, he really wasn't involved in my life, so I saw this as an opportunity to reconnect with him."

Patrice spent two months with her father before he passed away. After his death, Patrice fell into a deep depression. Patrice's cousin told her about the opportunity she had to turn her life around at Twin Cities RISE!. He had graduated from the program and worked for a great company that paid a living wage job. Patrice decided to take a chance on Twin Cities RISE! to brush up on her job skills and keep busy in order to turn her life around.

Taking classes at Twin Cities RISE! was not always easy for Patrice. She had moved several times to stay with different family members during her time at TCR!. At one point she gave up, "I had dropped out of TCR! one session and then my coach called me and was concerned with how I was doing." After talking with her coach, Patrice decided to come back to the program the following session.

Patrice was not close with her extended family in the Twin Cities, and her immediate family lived in Iowa; through Twin Cities RISE! she learned the importance of surrounding herself with positive people. "Coming to TCR! made me realize that I have a choice in the people I am active with," she said, "and I've chosen not to be around negative people who are always expecting the worst."

Personal Empowerment changed Patrice's life. "I've learned how to deal with any situation, issue or other problem in a different manner. Not to say that I don't get upset or angry, but with the techniques I've learned I am now able to walk away before I've said something that could damage any communication I am trying to give," she said. Job-training classes also created positive impact in Patrice's life. She has noticed changes in her economic status and self-confidence while at TCR!, problems that have plagued her since childhood.

Patrice received a final placement as a receptionist at Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P, a law firm located in downtown Minneapolis. The job was a good fit for Patrice, with hours that fit her schedule and capitalized on her interest to help others. "Working full time was a big change at first," she said, "but I've come to like it." Patrice liked her job so much that she recently decided to apply for a lateral position with the same company. Not only did she get the job, but Patrice anticipates that she will continue with Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.

Patrice now looks forward to the future. She recently got her learner's permit and is excited to buy a car upon getting her driver's license. Patrice hopes to return to school soon to get a degree in Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). Patrice thanks TCR! for the changes she sees in her life, "It helped me grow tremendously as a person and I use the lessons I learned both at work and in my personal life."