Sachelle Cuffy is pursuing her dreams, but as one of seven children in a single-parent household, success often seemed out of reach. At the age of fifteen, Sachelle found herself overwhelmed as a high school student contributing to household income and taking care of her younger siblings.

Even for an ambitious and driven student like Sachelle, the responsibility was emotionally overwhelming. To ensure Sachelle could reach her full potential, she was paired with Tyra, a United Way Full Service Schools therapist. Tyra helped Sachelle learn to cope with stress and set realistic goals for her future.

“Tyra gave me something every child needs, and that was love,” Sachelle said. “She listened.”

Sachelle graduated high school and earned her associate degree. She secured an internship with a Fortune 500 company and looks forward to attending Howard University in the fall and completing her bachelor’s before moving to Washington, D.C.

She hopes to one day run her own nonprofit and provide services that lift children out of situations like her own to help them be successful.

Full Service Schools is a proven neighborhood-based initiative that helps eliminate non-academic barriers to success through meeting health and human service needs.