TIFFANY HOUSTON, 2008 Graduate
| Watch Video: My journey in Create Your Dreams is one that I will never forget and will cherish for as long as I live. I started Create Your Dreams when I was only in kindergarten. My cousins were here and before I even joined, I was coming to all the events. I loved coming here because it felt like home. | |
| CYD introduced me to things that I would not otherwise have known. The simple things like Six Flags and the art museum. Every year for summer camp, I had a ball. We went to Six Flags and White Water, bowling and skating. We are so closely connected that once we went to Six Flags and I was so afraid to get on this ride that Ms. Alissa held my hand until the ride was over; being a little girl that really made a big impact on me. | |
| The staff at CYD held my hands through so much. Without the constant help of the staff and my parents, my time in high school would not be over now. This year has been really hectic. My grades had fallen for the first time since I started school and I was mentally falling at a fast rate. Ms. Alissa and Nef came to my house way out in Stone Mountain and we had an intervention. The next week Ms. Alissa and Aunt Dottie helped me obtain work form the teachers who allowed so that I could pass their class and my GPA would go up. | |
| From then on Ms. Alissa went beyond her CYD duties to help me pull up my grades. Every Saturday, sometimes Sunday, she would pick me up, go to a local coffee shop and work. She had my back and no matter what, I was going to pass those classes. It was an even balance of love coming form both ways. At CYD I received soft and gentle care and at home it was straight and to the point. It was something I needed. My journey was not of the average high school graduates. Instead of being happy and excited about getting out of high school I was sad because at the last minute I had fallen and couldn’t get up by myself. The people at CYD and my family gave me hope and with them I made it. |  |
| I had such a big network of people to talk to but I felt that I could talk to no one. Ms. Alissa called and asked about school. Once again I laughed it off, saying everything is fine. But then I realized that I just needed to tell the truth. My words became soft cries and Ms. Alissa noticed over the phone. It was like for the first time I didn’t have to be the strong, funny girl. That weekend Ms. Alissa and I hung out. I just want to say thank you because to this day no one knows how that crazy day at a health seminar put me back in my state of mind. | |
| Words can not even start to explain how much thanks I give to my family. Most people don’t know, but I was adopted when I was just a little girl. People, who didn’t know me, took me in and loved me like they birthed me themselves. My mom is like that shield I need. She loved me unconditionally and told me things that were just for our ears only. She taught me life lessons. Boys, sex, all the things that I needed. Then there’s my Uncle Greg. Since I never knew the man who helped birth me, I was more then happy to accept him as my father. He’s the one who no one ever sees but is always there when it’s most important. My sister Ashley graduated from high school in ’06 and she’s the big sister I look up to. She is the only one I let my guard down around. Not only is she my sister, she’s my best friend. Then there’s my birth mother. I love her so dearly. She taught me street smarts if nothing else - never judge people because they aren’t like you. Then there’s my rock, My Aunt Dottie. She is my tough love provider. She is my hero. | |
| As I graduate high school, I know I will never be able to graduate from CYD. Watch Video: | |
