In 2010 Eric McKnight became disengaged with traditional school where he said there just wasn’t enough help or support to keep him focused on academics. He heard about YO Baltimore from a family member and didn’t waste any time between leaving his high school and enrolling as a member of the Eastside YO Center.

In 2012 a good friend recommended Alexis to the Eastside Youth Opportunity Center (YO Baltimore) for assistance in obtaining a GED. “When I first went there I was very standoffish, like I didn’t want to be there,” Alexis said. After she met with staff at the center, she became more comfortable and was able to get serious about accomplishing her goals. “YO is really like a family,” she said.

“I was referred to HEBCAC in 2010 so I could study for the GED. I kept getting sidetracked and it took me until 2017 to finally earn my high school diploma,” Devin Smallwood said.

“I was in the tenth grade at Western High School and due to some family problems, I couldn’t continue there. I ended up in a community placement from 2004 to 2010,” Angel Barrios shared. Angel began attending a local GED class but did not complete the program. She was mostly hanging out with friends, who were drinking and leading a negative lifestyle. Angel knew she wanted more out of life than that and really wanted to pursue her goal of being a nurse.