Destination: Graduation helps Ivana set her sights on nursing school
Just a few years ago, you wouldn’t have imagined that Ivana might become a pediatric nurse. She was having a hard time in school and didn’t have a clear direction for her future.
She’s not alone. According to the latest research, 42 percent of African-American students and 54 percent of Hispanic students in Dallas County drop out of high school or fail to graduate on time.
That’s why the United Way launched Destination: Graduation in 2005. By focusing on middle school students as they make the decisions that will determine whether they succeed or fail in high school, we’re making a measurable impact on the futures of these young people.
When Ivana began to participate in Destination: Graduation, United Way partner Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Texas paired her with a mentor, Tamika Brunetti from Ernst & Young. As a result, Ivana started to develop clear goals for herself. Tamika showed her how to identify and meet shorter-term milestones that would enable her to reach those goals.
Now, Ivana wants to be the first person in her family to graduate from college—and then hopes to attend nursing school. She’s passed her Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test and she’s also a varsity cheerleader at Justin F. Kimball High School.
Ivana’s story is representative of the impact that United Way donors and volunteers make through the Graduation: Destination program. Students who participate in Destination: Graduation are promoted at a 15 percent higher rate than their peers who are not in the program. Thanks to Destination: Graduation and Ivana’s hard work, she’s well on her way to one day becoming a pediatric nurse.
Please visit www.unitedwaydallas.org and click on "Our Work" to learn more about Destination: Graduation and other special initiatives.
Make a Donation
When a child succeeds in school, a single mom pulls herself out of poverty, or a grandfather learns how to better manage his diabetes, we all win. When you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all.
Your donation, large or small, makes it possible for United Way to improve lives in our community.
Make a Memorial Gift
When someone passes away, it’s natural to think about the life they led and the impact they made on the people who loved and admired them. The United Way is grateful to those who Give to further extend the impact of people who have been lost.
Your memorial gift—of any size—pays honors one incredible life by bettering the lives of others throughout our community.
Make a Tribute Gift
Has someone special in your life made you want to honor them by giving to others? A gift to United Way can be a powerful way to say thank you or congratulations, because it can touch the lives of so many people in our community.
When you want to make a tribute gift, please keep the United Way in mind.
Serving Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and Southern Denton Counties
