Qiana Baker Story By: Jill Porter Qiana Baker has the soul of a poet, the strength of a survivor - and a background that easily could have brought her to ruin. Instead, her indomitable spirit spurred her to change the course of her life and become a model of hope to all who know her. "You have to always have faith, have to stay positive, be strong and keep your head up," said Baker, 28, who now works full time at the West Philadelphia EARN Center. It was through the EARN Center that Qiana was referred to The Career Wardrobe where she received professional clothing for her job search. Qiana's childhood was difficult, leading her to drop out of school and be separated from her beloved brothers for a time. Her life continued on its troubled path as she got older. She failed in school, became pregnant at 19 and then again three years later. As she tells it, she bounced from place to place, "from my aunt's house to my mom's house to my girlfriend's house to my mom's house." She was unstable and uncertain about what to do with her life. One traumatic event led to another until Qiana decided by sheer force of formidable will to change the direction of her life. "I decided to take things a little more seriously - put my kids first, try harder, try to achieve all I can." Qiana halted the downward spiral by enrolling in a welfare to work program where her motivation and determination were immediately apparent. She so impressed the staff at her program with her "diligent work ethic and unmistakable integrity," according to a staff member who nominated Qiana for Story of a Suit, that she was hired as a full-time file clerk with the Earn Center Quality Control Team. But Qiana is not finished changing her life. Currently she’s renting her own house and would like to return to school someday, so she can start her own computer-oriented business. Her new life is a model of responsibility for her children as well as the women she encounters every day. "I feel like a kid in the candy store," she said about her new path in life. "I'm so happy." Photographed By: Jeffrey Holder, Jeffrey Holder Photography |
|
