D'Andra King
Care for Soul, Inc.
Chicago, IL USA
"You can either do one of two things: you can be mad at the world or you can focus on making a change."
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D'Andra's work combines: Medicine, Technology, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
On my road, the discouragement placed upon me was mental and emotional. People criticized my race, upbringing, appearance, etc. I choose not to worry about what other people say or think about me. I forgive myself every day because I know tomorrow has no mistakes in it. I choose to be happy! I choose to do the right things in life for life.
Here's the path I took:
GED
Vocational
Computer Numerical Control
Jane Addams Resource Corporation
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was born on the South Side of Chicago where my homelife was unstable—my mother was in an abusive relationship, we were in and out of shelters, and we often didn’t have light, gas, or heat.
2.
I enjoyed all four years of high school but wasn’t able to graduate.
3.
At age 18, one of my friends offered to help me out of the shelter and allowed me to live with her.
4.
I couldn’t afford college, so I took jobs within the community to get to know people and gain experience in the workforce—some of my positions included cashier, tax preparer, and home health aide.
5.
In 2015, I got the opportunity to enroll in the Jane Addams Resource Corporation Computer Numerical Control job training program.
6.
When I completed the program, I got a full-time job as a machinist at S&C Electric.
7.
Unfortunately, my mother got sick and I eventually felt burnt out as a machinist, so I pivoted into health care and became a home health care provider for my mother.
8.
After finally being given good opportunities and paving a road for myself, it’s my goal to pay it forward and help others who might also be lacking opportunities and resources.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're fat. You're poor. You're Black. You can't afford it.
How I responded:
On my road, the discouragement placed upon me was mental and emotional. People criticized my race, upbringing, appearance, etc. I choose not to worry about what other people say or think about me. I forgive myself every day because I know tomorrow has no mistakes in it. I choose to be happy! I choose to do the right things in life for life.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Life was unstable growing up. My parents struggled with alcoholism. My mom was in a toxic relationship with my sister's dad. We often didn't have gas/heat at home and were in and out of shelters. At 18, I moved in with a friend to turn things around.
I enjoyed all four years of high school but unfortunately didn't end up graduating because I didn't have the stability I needed in my home life. I eventually got my GED and it's still a goal of mine to get a college degree.