At an age when many people are settling into retirement, Juliet was headed back into a classroom for the first time in 45 years.
In August 2024, Juliet’s life took a major turn when her Permanent Residency was approved, and she relocated from the Caribbean, having lived in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, to the United States. Starting over in a new country brought hope, but it also brought challenges. As she began searching for employment, she quickly encountered a barrier she hadn’t expected. Again and again, employers asked for a GED diploma.
Juliet’s journey back to the classroom began with courage, determination, and a dream she had carried for decades. A mother of three and proud grandmother of two, she watched each of her children graduate from university. She knew she had to challenge herself too.
“Resettling to a First World country can be scary and especially challenging coming from the Caribbean (Jamaica and the Cayman Islands). Arriving in the USA, I was faced with gaining employment. I tried getting employment and training and was always asked to provide a GED diploma.I searched for an institution that would assist an unemployed individual to work towards a GED diploma without a cost. I found the Literacy Alliance of North Florida and was invited to come to register and test. I was extremely nervous as I had not been in a classroom setting in over 45 years.”
Rather than giving up, Juliet made the brave decision to return to school and work hard. Juliet enrolled and began attending classes in November 2024. Even after moving to Oregon for 6 months, she remained committed, joining classes online and waking up very early to join a 6:30 am class (9:30 am Eastern time) to continue her education. She sacrificed her free time and stayed focused on her goal. Her perseverance paid off as she passed Language Arts and Social Studies in April 2025 and Science in October. Though Math proved challenging, Juliet refused to quit. She attended class and worked with a tutor, and in January 2026, her determination paid off when she passed her final exam and officially earned her GED. Even after earning her GED, she continues to gain skills in a computer class. To date, she has studied about 325 hours with the Literacy Alliance.
“I thank everyone at Literacy Alliance of North Florida from day one as I was treated with respect and given that level of comfort that gave me the motivation to continue.”
Today, Juliet continues to build her future. She hopes to pursue her certification as a CNA. Looking back at her time with Literacy Alliance, she reflects not only on her academic achievement, but on the support she received along the way. From her very first visit, she was welcomed with respect, kindness, and encouragement. That support helped her believe in herself during moments of doubt and gave her the strength to continue.
Juliet’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue your goals. Her journey, from the Caribbean to the United States, from uncertainty to achievement, shows that determination, courage, and the right support can open doors at any stage of life.
Today, Juliet stands as an inspiration to her children, her grandchildren, and every adult learner who wonders if they can begin again.
