WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY AWARDS
2007 Women's Opportunity Awards
First Place ($2000):
Lacresiha Geeter is a 22-year-old single mother of one child, age 2, but also has custody of 2 of her sisters, ages 15 and 16. Lacresiha's childhood was a nightmare due to abusive, alcoholic and addicted parents. She and her many siblings grew up mostly in foster care. Lacresiha obtained a job at Florence Crittenton as a behavioral health technician in the group home, where she and her sisters have found help. Lacresiha is a graduate of their transitional living/housing program. Linda Volheim of Florence Crittenton highly recommended Lacresiha for the WOA, writing in her reference letter, "In the eighteen years I have been with Florence Crittenton, I have never met a young woman with as much courage and conviction as Lacresiha has." Lacresiha is working on her nursing degree at Phoenix College and will transfer to ASU in the fall to pursue her bachelor's degree in nursing. Her goal is to work with teenage mothers immediately after delivery of their babies, in post partum recovery.
Second Place ($1000):
Lakesha Boatley is a 26-year-old single mother of 3 children, ages 10, 5 and 4 months. She is enrolled at South Mountain Community College pursuing a degree in Behavioral Health. Her career goal is to be a counselor for at-risk youth, possibly continuing on for a doctorate in child psychology. She has been working with children for a long time, starting as a youth counselor for the Boys and Girls Club and also for the Southwest Leadership Foundation. Lakesha was a peer mentor at Pasadena City College in California, as well as a teacher's assistant at Child Educational Center. She is well on her way to reaching her goal of a degree, having already completed 21 credits of the 65 she needs. Lakesha was told about the WOA by Tammy Rivera, her caseworker at the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. Tammy was a glowing reference for Lakesha, confirming her tremendous determination and drive.
Below are photos from the awards ceremony.
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