Growing up in Boston, life was challenging for Diandra. She dropped out of high school at age 15 due to a challenging family dynamic and ten years later Diandra returned to school to complete her high school credentials. Diandra has now completed a successful first year at North Shore Community College where she is working towards a nursing degree. Diandra credits the stress-reducing skills learned at First Literacy to her success at managing a demanding academic course load and maintaining her focus.