Hi, my name is Patricia Langille. I am 41 years old, and a single mom with a daughter, Shiann, and son, Patrick. Shiann is in grade 5 and Patrick in grade 11. I have completed grade 9 and went for half the year in grade 10. I quit because I didn't feel I was smart enough to continue, and other personal reasons.
So here I am at age 41 and no education to get a job. I heard of the ALP GAP Program at GALA from my case worker. I thought, finally, here is my chance to better my education and get a job. I was excited about starting the ALP GAP Program, but also a little apprehensive. Who would I get to look after my daughter, and what effect would this have on her, where she is so used to having me around all the time? Then there was the transportation issue; with no vehicle how was I to get to this program.
So I talked to my daughter and she thought it would be a great for her mom to do something like this. I got on the phone and started making calls for my transportation. Everything started coming together. There was someone to take care of my daughter, and I had transportation.
So off I went on September 15, 2008, and started the ALP GAP Program at GALA. Since then I have learned a lot about myself and education. Now I am able to help my daughter with her homework, which I couldn't do before.
I will be entering the work force in March for my work placement. I am very excited and a little nervous about this.
I really couldn't have done this without the encouragement from my instructor Jina Jeans. She taught me that whatever I set my mind to do I can do it. She also gave me lots of positive remarks, which helped a lot. I'm really glad that I gave this program a go. It really changed my life for the better.
I have another goal that I would like to achieve. I would like to get my G.E.D.
I would like to thank everyone at GALA for making this a great experience. It was great to be with the other class members. I made lots of great friends.