Starting Over: How Kathryn Rebuilt Her Life Through Education

Kathryn Lara remembers the moment something needed to change.

She was sitting at a family gathering, listening as relatives talked about their careers, their accomplishments, and the lives they had built. While she was proud of them, she had a realization.

“I remember thinking I hadn’t done anything or accomplished anything in my life,” Kathryn said.

For Kathryn, 30, that thought stayed with her, and she knew it was time to change the direction of her life, not just for herself but for her three children.

Taking the First Step

Originally from Dallas, Kathryn moved to San Antonio six years ago. She was raising three kids, working, and navigating an abusive relationship when she began researching training programs that could help her build a stable career.

That’s when she discovered the Goodwill Career Center on Austin Highway.

“For a long time, I believed the things that were said to me and I felt like I wasn’t good enough,” Kathryn said. “But I knew I had to do something different for myself and my kids. That’s when I found Goodwill.”

Determined to create a different life for herself and her children, Kathryn left her relationship and enrolled in the free Medical Assistant program at the Goodwill Academy.

Building a New Future

Four days a week, Kathryn balanced work, school, and family responsibilities. During the day, she attended classes at the Goodwill Academy and covered night shifts at a fast food chain.

“It was busy,” she said. “But I knew what I was working toward.”

Along the way, Kathryn found encouragement from the people around her. One person who made a strong impact was her instructor, Ms. Maria, who encouraged her to stay focused on her goals.

“Goodwill really helped me a lot, and my instructor, Ms. Maria, was always checking on me,” Kathryn said.

Today, Kathryn works at Baptist Medical Center as part of a healthcare team caring for patients. She says her children are a big part of what keeps her moving forward and working toward a more stable future.

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I just want my kids to see that no matter what you go through, you can still change your life around,” Kathryn said.

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By Yvonne Z. Byrd, Multimedia Design Manager

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Learn how your donations support local training programs at https://www.goodwillsa.org/career-training/.