Kerianna grew up in the near west suburbs of Chicago. As a cool, smart, shy girl she always knew that she wanted to help people. She had been a counselor / mentor to kids when she herself was a kid. Her mom worked as a CNA, and because of her stories Kerianna knew that she wanted to do the same profession. Life was good as a child with mom and her two brothers.
Unfortunately life got hard fast when Kerianna was 16 and her mom developed a drug problem and left their apartment, leaving Kerianna to fend for herself and her younger brother. Later she returned and Kerianna and her brother had to move out, bouncing around between family members.
During all of this Kerianna was able to finish high school at an alternative high school, a school she chose because it was a “family” for her. She also worked as an activity aide at a nursing home and a hospital, working 16-18 hour shifts. When she got in a car accident she had to quit her job and at this point she was also couch surfing. A coworker had told her earlier that month about the AACF Employment Program.
I feel like that world needs to know that even though you’re going through something you don’t have to do it alone. - Kerianna
Kerianna had hit a point of desperation, unemployed, couch surfing, and at one point sleeping in a car. She made the phone call to the AACF office and was directed to the orientation where learned about the Employment Program offerings and signed up for the CNA training program which she had previously wanted but had not been able to afford. AACF helped Kerianna with her housing needs and now assists her with apartment-living. And in addition to CNA training, she also received her textbooks, scrubs, and was placed in a paid internship during her training. She graduated from the CNA training course in January and was hired as a full-time CNA shortly after.
Kerianna is hugely grateful for the assistance that she received from AACF and has told her friends about the Employment Program. She is very grateful for her case manager, Chuckita Smith, saying about her that “we need that push, that guidance - they can be there for you.” We are incredibly proud of you Kerianna for all that you’ve been able to accomplish. Keep shining your light and rising up to meet any challenge that comes your way - you are doing amazing!
“We all go through things. We need people to tell us: ‘We can help you, we can really help you.’” - Kerianna