From Overwhelmed Young Mom to Unstoppable Leader: Kayley’s Journey to Graduation and Beyond

As Kayley Godinez reflects on her journey to graduation, one thing is clear: her story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, belief in yourself, and a community that truly cares, anything is possible.

Before finding her way to Options For Youth (OFY), Kayley felt lost in the chaos of traditional high school. Crowded hallways, constant drama, and the pressure of it all became too much. “I used to ditch school because I couldn't handle being in a crowded environment,” she shared. “It was a lot. The drama was very unnecessary and put stress on my life—and honestly, I didn't know how to deal with it.”

Then, life threw her another curveball—she found out she was pregnant. “I truly thought it was the end of the world for me,” Kayley admitted. But a friend told her about OFY, and something inside her sparked. She talked to her counselor about switching schools. At first, there was hesitation. But Kayley knew in her heart that OFY was where she needed to be.

Starting at OFY wasn’t easy. Kayley was scared and full of doubt. “I didn’t know what to expect, and I was worried about whether I had the inner strength to succeed.” The early days were hard. She struggled to complete units and felt overwhelmed by the reality of being a young mother. Her graduation date was pushed back two years, and for a while, she felt stuck.

Kayley speaking at her graduating class of 2025. 

But everything began to shift the moment she realized she wasn’t alone. Her teachers and counselor saw the spark in her—and they nurtured it. “My counselor even gave me a mountain of diapers. I went home and cried because I was so grateful,” Kayley recalled. “That’s when I realized people here actually cared.”

When one of her favorite teachers moved to a different center, Kayley and her siblings followed. Though the transition wasn’t smooth at first, the flexibility of OFY allowed her to keep searching for what worked best. Eventually, they connected with a teacher whose style just clicked. From there, she found her rhythm—going from struggling to complete three units to finishing ten units a month.

“The staff at OFY supported me so much through my journey,” she said. “They never let me say, ‘I can’t do it.’ They reminded me that I was capable and helped me become the person I always knew I could be.”

Now, Kayley is heading to college to study construction management. Her dream? To own her own construction business by the time she turns 29. And thanks to the lessons she learned at OFY, she’s confident she can do it. “I want to be living proof that no matter where we come from, we are capable of building the life we dream of.”

Kayley’s gratitude runs deep. She gives special thanks to:

• Mrs. Evelyn, who made OFY feel like home with her kindness and warmth.
• Ms. Varas, who believed in Kayley and her siblings, pushing them to succeed and offering support like a second mom.
• Mrs. Judith, for being not only an incredible teacher but also a guiding light for Kayley and her family.
• Mr. Robert, who made online English classes fun and engaging—something Kayley never thought she’d say!
• And to all her DI teachers and the entire OFY staff for making her experience unforgettable.
  
  

To her fellow graduates, Kayley leaves this message:

“We’ve faced challenges, we’ve had moments of doubt, but look at us now—we made it! No matter what obstacles come next, remember: we are unstoppable, we are capable, and we are just getting started. Class of 2025, let’s go out there and show the world what we’re made of!”

Congratulations, Kayley! Your story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of a second chance. We can’t wait to see everything you build next.