I Came From Nothing

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“I came from nothing. I was in a shelter. Sometimes I was sleeping in the streets.”

Kwantia Cummings first came to SEM 5 years ago during what she describes as troubling times.

“I met Mrs. Harris at a hair salon down the street, and she always told people about SEM. She said if there was anyone who was looking for a job or looking to get their GED that SEM was an option.”

“I wasn’t working for 3-4 years, then after coming to SEM, I started working at McDonald’s,” says Kwantia.

During her time at McDonald’s, Kwantia came to realize that she had a passion for working with children.

“I started volunteering at my kids’ school for 2 years. I wasn’t getting paid, but I didn’t miss a day and I wasn’t late. I tried to give them the same impression as if I were employed, so I worked hard. I did whatever I could.”

Kwantia’s hard wark did not go unnoticed.

“Then, the principal came to me and asked if I was looking for a job. I said, ‘yeah.’ On August 22, I started as Dedicated Aid at Center City Public Charter School. Southeast Ministry helped me get to this point. If there was anything I needed, whether it be personal, or a transportation issue, I was able to come to Mrs. Harris. Whenever I come across others in need, I always tell them to go to SEM because whatever they need, there is someone in the building that can help.”

Kwantia acknowledges that the road to self-suffiency is not easy, but her advice to others is to, “stay true to yourself, be dedicated, and work hard!”

For information regarding donating to Southeast Ministry, our programs, or volunteering, please visit www.southeastministrydc.org, or call 202-562-2636.
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