Meet Huck House Youth Award Winner, Jhanel McCray.

Jhanel left a violent relationship with her child’s father and has been raising her 2 year old daughter on her own with very little help from friends or family. Jhanel set out to utilize Huck House’s Transitional Living Program to get financially stable, graduate high school, find stable employment and housing while mastering independent living skills so she can live on her own successfully.

Jhanel has made great strides towards her goals. She recently graduated from the Academy for Urban Scholars. She has been steadily employed and has been able to save money to buy a car and increase her savings. Jhanel values employment. Recently, when leaving one job for another, she respectfully gave two weeks’ notice, knowing how important it is to maintain a reputation as a good employee.

Jhanel is positive, outgoing, motivated, hardworking, and a leader amongst her peers. Jhanel hopes to move to her own apartment in the next few months. There is no doubt that Jhanel will continue being successful and will reach whatever goal she sets for herself.