VIVE School Pathways to Success (Christopher Pope)

A man on the upward move in life - that's Christopher Pope. Christopher was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York with his three brothers and three sisters. His mother, a church deacon, has always been a strong influence in his life encouraging her children to complete their education. But education was not to be in the picture for him, when at seventeen he found himself becoming a father. In order to support his daughter, Shabrea, he dropped out of the tenth grade and worked at different unskilled jobs. By twenty-one Christopher left New York and went to North Carolina to care for his ailing grandmother who had heart problems. While bringing his grandmother back to New York, she passed away at her sister's house.

Now at twenty-two, Christopher became employed at a New York Airport where he worked for approximately six years. He was being promoted from maintenance to better jobs but, as he states he was "dealing with the wrong people." He lost this job. His mom continued to encourage him to go back to school, but she would not help him until he helped himself. Without a job, at twenty-eight, he found himself homeless. He took residence at the Yonkers Sharing Community Shelter and then the Gospel Mission Home. It was at this time that he decided things had to be different.

Christopher enrolled in Pathways to Success at VIVE in April 2010. He returned home to live with his mom who is now a church pastor. He raised his academic scores so much in one year that he entered the External High School Diploma Program. He became a high school graduate from the Yonkers Public Schools at the end of April, 201 1. Christopher completed Security Guard Training and passed all the required tests to be a certified guard. He has begun work as a Security Guard in the Glenwood area of Yonkers. His resume, which was prepared by the Employment Office of Pathways to Success, now indicates all his accomplishments. He took part in academic classes, job training, and job services - everything the school was able to offer him.

We must compliment his mother for being the guiding light in her son's life, but we congratulate Christopher Pope, high school graduate and security guard, going from homeless to a self sustaining member of society. His future is bright.

Christopher Pope Success Story