Kate Coleman

Kate Coleman grew up in Oceanside, CA in the 70's and 80's. She was raised by a single mother along with her 4 siblings and 4 cousins.

She had a great childhood although they were poor and on welfare. Had it not been for the EOPS program she would not be where she is today.

She always calls EOPS her lifesaver because it literally saved her life.

When she arrived in EOPS she was mourning the loss of her mother, one year clean from drugs, on welfare and homeless. She was about to lose her welfare benefits and needed to find a job. She was desperate to get a certificate and go to work. Her counselor was not happy with that goal. He told her she was going to get her AA and transfer.

Kate was so scared but she took what she had learned in Narcotics Anonymous and followed directions. He created an Education Plan that she followed religiously.

The staff and counselors believed in her until she could learn to believe in herself. If that wasn't enough, she lucked out and got a student worker position in the EOPS program her first semester in 2009 and has been there ever since.

She is currently completing her Master's in Education and Counseling because of the love and support she received from her EOPS family. Her goal is to pay it forward by becoming an academic counselor in an EOPS program.