Success Story

Conseta Lawrence

Conseta Lawrence managed to raise and provide for her four children with the meager profit she gained from her one-room convenience store in Jamaica.  When business slowed, however, she felt increasing pressure to leave her children behind in search of a better life in the United States – one in which she could provide more easily for her family. 

She arrived in Connecticut in 2002, and soon found housekeeping work in an assisted living community.  After struggling for two years, she began to confront her inability to read and write.  In 2004, she enrolled in LVGH’s Basic Literacy program.  Four years later, her persistence and dedication paid off in the form of her official citizenship. With her newly acquired status, she was able to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and continues to work towards her long-term goal to become a phlebotomist. 

Still eagerly attending her morning classes twice a week at LVGH’s Hartford branch, Conseta currently reads at a fourth grade level.  Now, after seven years of separation from her four young children, Conseta Lawrence can finally look forward to a reunion. 

Exactly a year after acquiring her own citizenship, her three girls have been granted permission to come live with their newly-literate mother in Hartford.  After all of these years, Conseta’s children will finally enjoy a bedtime story from the mother they haven’t seen for most of their lives. 

Daniel's Story  |  Patrick's Story