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2007 Face of Success Honorees
 Tina
Determined to start over after escaping an abusive relationship, Tina knew she had to recreate her life for herself and her children. Starting with a temporary job working
for Community Legal Services in Yavapai County, Tina found a passion for the law. With help from AWEE, she created a detailed plan to get her on the right track toward developing skills to become a paralegal. The powerful combination of AWEE and additional education proved to ignite the domino effect toward many celebrated accomplishments. She attended Yavapai College where she gained skills right
along with much needed self-confidence. After a series of promotions, Tina now holds an enviable spot as pro-bono coordinator and paralegal with Community Legal Services, and coordinates the family law ombudsman program at the courthouse. Tina’s dedication in both school and work has allowed her to attain financial independence and purchase a home for her family. Having walked similar paths to many of those she now supports, Tina hasn’t forgotten what it took to help her move into the winner’s circle. “Never let anybody control you, hurt you,” she says. “You are your own person and you control your own destiny.”
 Iditris
Iditris’ life is a bit like playing pick up sticks – being successful is interconnected to many other things. But one by one, she’s celebrating her accomplishments. One connection that helped in her transformation was AWEE. While recovering from drug addiction and unable to return to her career in nursing, Iditris knew she needed to tap into some help. AWEE was the answer. She quickly enrolled in a variety of programs, including the Skills for Success workshop, vocational training to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and utilized the Clothing Bank for clothes to wear to job interviews. By early 2006, Iditris found a job with the Arizona Recycling Company as a CDL driver. Her hard work paid off with raises and she eventually saved enough money so she could afford to move into her own place and invite family to stay with her. “You’ve got to stay focused and you’ve got to have responsibilities around what your goal is,” says Iditiris. “You have to have determination and the willpower. But you must love yourself first.”
 Laura
Laura knows what it is to have to pick up the pieces and put them back together again. At the tender age of 9, she experienced sexual abuse by her stepfather and tried to escape it with drugs and alcohol. She married at 19, and by 22 had two children and faced constant abuse from her husband. She lost track of her trips to the hospital. The broken arms, crushed ribs and black eyes continued to lead her to drugs, and eventually landed her in prison. Desperate to find healthy ways to heal and get back to her girls, Laura participated in every self-improvement program available, including AWEE’s pre-release Women Living Free program. It helped her prepare for the transition back into society and reunification with family. Laura also took part in AWEE’s post-release program, Paths to Living Free. She secured assistance with the essentials: rent, gas, clothing, eyeglasses and key referrals to assist with the custody battle for her two daughters. While her younger daughter still resides with her ex-husband, Laura’s older daughter teams up with her to share their story of abuse with people who have been convicted of domestic violence. “If I can share my experience, strength and hope and have it change the life of just one woman, then it is all worth it.” Recently promoted to a program manager position for an international group that works to end domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse, Laura brings home a great paycheck with benefits. She bought a new home and little by little has reconnected the shattered pieces of her life. “There are people who are willing to help you – like AWEE,” says Laura. “Just be true to yourself and have a dream.”
 Thary
It could be nursing, pharmacy, radiology or perhaps business…whatever it ends up being, Thary is a young woman interested in all that life has to offer. With only Cambodian spoken at home and the need to help her mom with her two younger sisters, she ended up a bit behind when she got into Sunnyslope High School. But she caught up quickly and also got a job at the AWEE office nearby. Once there, she realized AWEE could be a strategic partner in her efforts to realize her dreams. AWEE helped her complete grants to pursue schooling through the Workforce Investment Act funding, as well as connect her to advisors in the community college system. Whatever the grants didn’t cover, AWEE did. She fast tracked her way to a Certified Nurses Assistant. Then Thary pursued training as a pharmacy technician. Now she is enjoying her work at CVS using her technician skills to assist the busy pharmacists. After taking the state boards, she’ll soon be a registered pharmacy technician. But that’s not her end game. Thary wants to help her mom run a new business, so she’s considering pursuing a business degree or additional work in the health sector, including radiology. “AWEE has been like a family to me,” says Thary. “They help you when you need it, give you support if you need to talk to someone. They’re there to listen.” With all of her early success at such a young age, there’s no doubt she making the right moves to find success.
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