Life After the Winston-Salem Street School

When students are referred to the Street School or transfer to our program on their own, for the most part, they are usually not thinking about their future. They are caught up in what went wrong at their previous school, what led them to making a change and leaving old friends and ways behind, or just the sad fact of having to start over. Once the initial trauma of changing schools settles, new relationships are formed, different teachers become part of your everyday life, you begin to enjoy the “alternative” approach of the Street School, and you finally start to look at life through a different lens. Not just a week to week approach, but rather a framework and game plan of where you see yourself after graduation, five or ten years in the future.

In addition to instilling important life lessons, helping to build character, and producing strong young men and women, the most important goal for Street School programs is to make sure every graduate leaves with a plan for their life. Whether they look to continue their education, head straight into the workforce, or serve their country in the military, we strive to make sure every student that completes our high school and adult program has a blueprint. When students stay in touch or we follow their successes and challenges, it is just an extension of our Street School family.

There is no better feeling than getting a call or text from a student letting us know that they are doing well, need a copy of their transcript for school, or want to see how they can stay involved with the Street School and give back to the school who was there for them when they needed it the most.

‍

A few examples of those instances just in the last year:

• A young lady that graduated two years ago and attended UNCG, dropped by to let us know she was transferring to Salem College to be closer to her family, while she continued to study for a career in the medical field.
• While speaking with a representative at an area business, we were blessed to hear the individual’s nephew, a 2010 graduate of the Street school, was now married, with a great career, and living with his family in Tennessee.
• A former student, who has served as a Street School volunteer in several different capacities, pulled up to our front door with a van load of much needed supplies for the school, just when we needed it the most.
• A graduate from 2023, who enlisted in the Marines after his Street School experience, messaged us via social media to let us know he was doing great, in a supportive relationship and now working as an MP in the Marine Corp.
• Another graduate, who operates his own electrical contracting company and has a beautiful family, has served this year as the Vice Chair of our Street School Board of Directors.

These are just a few examples of Street School success stories and lives that were forever changed because of their experience with our program. None of this, as well as the small, daily victories we see with our students, happens without your support. Whether you give financially, provide in-kind donations to help throughout the year, or give of your time in one of the many volunteer opportunities we have, you are making a difference!