Pierce Works! Success
Dede Reaves is positive, friendly, deeply religious and confident of her goals and abilities; but she says that wasn't always the case. Not too long ago she was financially ruined and became deeply depressed, but she wasn't going to give up. A wonderful counselor encouraged Dede to pursue a college education and that's how she ended up at Pierce. She quickly set out on a path to move her life in a forward direction.
Dede Reaves and Debbie MacLaughlin, ABE
instructor, Pierce College Puyallup
Dede says there are many resources in the community for women like her. She was a single woman with grown children. She needed encouragement and a new career. Dede says that if she could help advertise all the programs that are available at Pierce, she'd want to help just one other person take that first step to get started. She says “Contact an advisor!”
When Dede started back to school she had to go through the same testing as everyone else. She didn't realize how her reading and math skills had slipped over the years. She began her college journey at the ABE - Adult Basic Education Center on the Puyallup campus. She credits her instructors and advisor with being a key to her success.
With new and refreshed reading skills, she gained momentum and began to look for other opportunities. This is where she met up with Evelyn Brooks, Program Coordinator of Pierce Works! This intense 7-week course boosted Dede's confidence and gave her more college and study skills as well as the job and resume building courses she needed; it ultimately changed her life.
Dede says she feels a real sense of freedom, just knowing she can accomplish whatever she puts her mind to. It may take her a little longer than the young ones, but she jokingly admits its ok to know your limitations.
Dede is currently taking her college prerequisite classes towards a Certificate in Accounting. She knows she has accomplished so much from those dismal days of not so long ago. Dede emphasized that if it weren't for her instructors and advisors showing concern and desire for her to succeed, she wouldn't have come so far already.
