Winter 2017

Thank you Sidonie for sharing your success story!

With each new year, we have an opportunity to reflect on TTC. We look back to 2000 when the program first began as a pilot program and realize just how much the program has grown. It is also a time to plan the future, as more and more students continue to come through our doors.

Each semester, as we say goodbye to our recent graduates, we are introduced to a new group of students with new hopes and dreams for a better life. It is always encouraging to know that TTC continues to change lives for the better. We have enrolled hundreds of students over the years, many of whom have gone on to completed their Associate’s Degree at CCRI, transferred to a four year university for a Bachelor’s Degree, and for some, continued on for a Master’s.

This past December, TTC graduated eleven students who are now settled into their next semester at CCRI. They are excited to continue their college journey, and they are motivated to begin their new courses, for they know TTC prepared them well.

We continue to hear from our graduates over the years and are humbled with the credit given to TTC, as a means to reach their goals and dreams.

At graduation this past December, Sidoinie Gbazale, a former TTC graduate, addressed the group and told her story as an immigrant from West Africa who was seeking the American dream. Her story was truly inspiring. When Sidonie first arrived in the United States, she spoke no English, but she quickly began to learn the language. She was determined to make her dream of a college degree come true in her new homeland. After taking numerous ESL classes, she enrolled in the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) and received her high school diploma within six months. Hearing about how TTC would continue to support her as she began college at CCRI, she enrolled immediately and was a model student. Five years later, she graduated with honors from the nursing program at CCRI, with R.N. proudly at the end of her name.

Sidonie’s journey was not without struggle, like many of our students, but her hard work, determination, and dream of making a better life for her family drove her to succeed. In her speech to our graduates, Sidonie quoted Tommy Hilfiger who once said, "The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive, and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream." She believed this with all her heart, as so many others have come to understand. Hard work, persistence, and the passion to succeed, in fact, will enable you to reach your goals.

It is that same hard work, determination, and passion to help others that the staff at TTC is honored to be part of so many lives. Good luck to all our graduates . . . and thank you for choosing TTC to begin your college journey. Continue to work hard to make your dreams come true!