Cunningham Children’s Home celebrate’s Alisha’s story of resilience and determination

"When I started showing interest in transitioning to public school, they advocated next to me, not for me," Alisha explained. "I know my staff won’t always be there for me, so learning to speak up for myself was a good confidence builder."

By Craig Ondevilla December 31, 2024 3:59 pm

Chambana TodayCanvaPro"When I started showing interest in transitioning to public school, they advocated next to me, not for me," Alisha explained. "I know my staff won’t always be there for me, so learning to speak up for myself was a good confidence builder."

URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Cunningham Children’s Home would like to reflect on journey’s made possible by donations from people like you.

Alisha’s story is one of resilience and determination to build a brighter future. She has been in care since the age of six, moving between extended family and placements until settling at Cunningham Children’s Home. During her 16 months at Cunningham, she has an impressive record to show. As a junior this spring, she earned an academic letter with a 4.0 GPA. She then transitioned to Urbana High School where she is now taking a full course load, including two English classes, personal finance, and photography.

“When I started showing interest in transitioning to public school, they advocated next to me, not for me,” Alisha explained. “I know my staff won’t always be there for me, so learning to speak up for myself was a good confidence builder.”

Her newfound confidence has spurred her forward. She has applied to 12 universities and has already receiving acceptance letters from her top two choices. She’s still deciding between a career in psychology or criminal justice, but is still ending strong in her senior year. She is also pursuing her CNA certification through Clark Lindsey.