“Today, I’m finally experiencing life the way it should be lived: with open horizons and real opportunity.”
From Survival to Opportunity: Alicia “Bao Bao” R.’s Journey to Graduation
My name is Alicia “Bao Bao” R. I am one of the proud graduates of the Class of 2026 through Goodwill’s Helms Academy. I want to honor my success in this story in the hopes that it resonates with and inspires those who find this road seemingly impossible.
Where My Story Began
I started life in the foster care system in the far-off Pacific Northwest. When I was a newborn, I was a bald-headed baby and looked just like a little dumpling, which is how I earned the nickname “Bao,” a name I still honor today.
It was that or “bubblegum”…
Though I was adopted at age four, life quickly became complicated. Sparing many unsavory details, to help take care of my family, I walked away from my education after the eighth grade. I felt like I owed it to them. We had nothing. We needed to try and keep each other together.
When I tried to return to school sometime later, I couldn’t. I was a homeless teenager, and at the time, the law didn’t allow an “unaccompanied minor” to enroll in school without a legal guardian.
During that time, life became increasingly more complex, and I went into survival mode. I did not choose where I went or who I went with. By the time I reached adulthood, trying to scrape together a living in total instability had become my normal.
Taking a Chance on Something New
At 22, I attended a high school diploma program at a community college in Washington, but I didn’t finish because I met someone incredibly special who showed me a different future.
My Evergreen heart took a massive leap of faith, and with his support, I moved almost 3,000 miles away to New Jersey to choose to take on something new.
With no high school background, the idea of a G.E.D. felt impossible. But I researched my options, found Helms Academy and reluctantly gave it a chance.
At first, things went smoothly. I passed Language Arts, Social Studies and Science with what feels like ease now.
Then came math.
Math didn’t feel like a subject. It was an active threat to everything I had worked for.
When I scored 113 on my first practice exam, I wondered if I should have even tried at all. I had forgotten everything, lost faith in myself and fell right back into my old survival cycle, working exhausting hours because it felt like the only way I could make a good life.
I gave up and stepped back.
Finding My Way Back
By 2025, the regret of walking away caught up to me. I was tired of standing still.
I returned to Helms, and Patti graciously welcomed me back.
This time, I knew failure wasn’t an option. If I was moving forward, this had to happen.
Patti, an incredibly caring and thoughtful instructor, patiently chipped away at my fortified walls of anxiety. She kept my mind at ease and made me feel prepared even when I was convinced I knew absolutely nothing.
Because she believed in my capability, I learned to trust it, too.
When I finally passed that math test, it wasn’t just a piece of paper. It was proof of how hard we have to fight sometimes, of where we came from and of the fact that we made it to a future we didn’t think we’d live to see.
Open Horizons
For the longest time, I was just trying to survive.
But today, I’m finally experiencing life the way it should be lived: with open horizons and real opportunity.
Where I was once an underprivileged kid, I now stand as an empowered adult.
Helms will always be a core reason why I finally have that freedom, no matter where I go next.
Thank you for allowing me to become another one of your success stories.
~ Alicia “Bao Bao” R.
This story has been lightly edited for clarity and readability while preserving the original voice, perspective and experience.
Learn More About Goodwill’s Helms Academy
Goodwill’s Helms Academy provides a second chance at education for adults who have not completed high school. The program offers a tuition-free path to earning a high school diploma in a supportive, flexible environment designed to meet students where they are.
Participants can choose from in-person or virtual learning options, making it easier to balance education with work, family, and other responsibilities. Along the way, students receive personalized support, helping them build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and prepare for future career opportunities.
Helms Academy is more than a classroom. It is a pathway to stability, growth, and new possibilities for individuals ready to take the next step.
To learn more or get started, visit: https://helmsacademy.org/
Discover Programs That Change Lives
The stories you see here are made possible through Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia’s mission services. From adult education and job training to career placement and support services, these programs help individuals overcome barriers and build brighter futures.
If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, we invite you to learn more about the opportunities available.
