Name:Wyman Barros
Semester/Year Started at WCC: Fall 2011
Semester/Year Started in TRiO SSS:Fall 2011
Degree(s) Earned at WCC or 4yr.
college/university:
Semester(s)/Year(s) Graduated:
How has TRiO SSS helped you/what services
have you used?
Trio has helped
me get adjusted to college life. It has helped a person like me who is not able
to financial pay for everything I need to attend college for example; the use
of computers, printing and tutoring services. They have an outstanding staff
that is so helpful. I don’t think I would have made it through my first
semester if it wasn’t for the tutoring service they provide for math and
English.
Personal Statement:
My name is Wyman Barros. At the age of 52, I am in the
midst of rebuilding my life and finding a new direction and purpose. It is a
very humbling experience to be back in school and starting a new career and a
new life, yet I am very excited. My path back to school has not been easy,
filled with a lot of poor choices.
In October of 2010 I checked
myself into ATS, which is a treatment facility managed by the Salvation Army.
While in my disease of addiction, I have lost everything dear to me: my Wife,
Daughter, job, and house. The most important thing that I lost was my
self-respect. I was spiritually, emotionally, and financially bankrupt. I had
nowhere to go and felt hopeless, unable to overcome my addiction. It was in the
treatment facility where I found out who I was and what I wanted to do with my
life. I made a decision to take ownership of my mistakes and face the future
with renewed vigor as I start my journey into my new life.
I now have a strong sense of
purpose and commitment in making the most out of my life, because of my past
experiences. I have learned while in treatment that I can do anything if I want
it bad enough, and that is why I am continuing my education, to get out of an
old way of thinking and living. With your help, I will be able to truly help
others with my knowledge and insight that I have gained. It is through personal
experience that I feel will be my most valuable asset. I feel that the only way
to maintain this path I am on is to give back and help others. I am trying to
get my Bachelors in Social Work, and I feel that will be the best possible
position for me to help others. Going back to my old way of life is not an
option. I must better my life and hopefully the lives of others. So I am asking
for support with this scholarship.
My educational goal is to
obtain my BSW. With this education I plan on making a career in the field of
social work. I would like to become a substance abuse counselor at one of our
treatment centers here on Oahu.
My personal goal is to finish
college and start giving back to my community. It is my personal belief that
the substance abuse problem we face on Oahu is a driving force behind numerous
other social issues: domestic violence, crime homelessness, and suicide.
I am currently in service
with the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. My past experience and struggles
that I have endured has allowed me to share my experience, strength, and hope
to others who are going through what I have gone through.
Sincerely,
Wyman Barros
UPDATE as of Spring 2016
Wyman graduated with his AA in Liberal Arts at the end of the Spring 2015 semester and is currently working on his BSW at the School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Wyman graduated with his AA in Liberal Arts at the end of the Spring 2015 semester and is currently working on his BSW at the School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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