Former First Literacy Scholars Reflect on Life and Work After Graduation
Written by Ophelia Navarro, First Literacy Development Director
In celebration of the spring graduation ceremonies, we caught up with two First Literacy Scholarship alumni, Lauretta Brennan and Luis Urbina, who both exemplify the transformative power of adult basic education. We wanted to learn where they are now since graduating and how their scholarship from First Literacy helped them get to where they are today.
Persistence Pays Off
We spoke with Lauretta Brennan, a single mother from South Boston, whose educational journey led not only to academic success but also to a career dedicated to supporting children and families. Lauretta received a First Literacy scholarship in 2007, and with First Literacy’s support, she earned her associate’s degree from Bunker Hill Community College in 2012.
What challenges were you facing before receiving a First Literacy scholarship?
Lauretta: Before receiving the First Literacy Scholarship, I was struggling financially. I was a single mother receiving welfare, living in the South Boston projects, and I had very little time to study while raising my young son. It was a very difficult period in my life.
How did your time with First Literacy lay the foundation for your career and life journey?
Lauretta: My First Literacy scholarship gave me hope during a difficult time in my life. Receiving a scholarship showed me that someone believed in me and my future. First Literacy also helped me professionally by connecting me with other professionals through events and ceremonies, giving me opportunities to build relationships and expand my network. That’s actually how we reconnected again years later.
How did your experience with First Literacy influence your educational path?
Lauretta: The help from the First Literacy scholarship allowed me to be able to afford childcare, which was one of the biggest barriers to continuing my education and keeping up my grades. I had my son in school at Julie’s Family Learning Program, but I had no time to study after school hours. My scholarship helped to pay for a babysitter for me to focus on my school work. Going to school while raising a toddler was not easy, but the support I received made it possible for me to balance my family responsibilities and my studies. First Literacy gave me the encouragement and hope I needed to keep going.
How has your education positively affected your work, family, or daily life?
Lauretta: My education has had a lasting impact on both my family and my career. I am now watching my son apply to college. He saw me work hard to earn my degree, and now he is following in my footsteps. I’ve also inspired and encouraged friends, neighbors, and others in my community to attend college.
What have you been doing in the years since graduating from college and First Literacy?
Lauretta: Since graduating in 2012, I have worked continuously while continuing to learn and grow professionally. I built a rewarding career for the past seven years as an Employment Specialist at the Gavin Foundation, which offers support services to families impacted by drug abuse. I help clients find employment, obtain identification, lead employment readiness groups, and connect clients with the clothing and equipment they need to succeed on the job. I was also recently recognized by Keches Law Group for “tireless compassion, resilience, and selfless commitment to supporting individuals in recovery.” Unfortunately, in 2024, I was shot in the foot in an act of gun violence, but I persevered and kept moving forward. If I had to describe what First Literacy taught me in one word, it would be perseverance.
In addition to working full-time, I volunteer and serve on the Board of Directors of Julie’s Family Learning Program in South Boston, the program that nominated me for the First Literacy scholarship. I don’t have money to give, and I want to give back, so my gifts of my time, advocating for the program, and keeping true to the mission of Julie’s is what I do. I’ve been on their Board for eight years. I’m also proud to say that I recently completed the coursework required to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and will take the certification exam this fall.
Inspired by Family, Driven by Determination
We also spoke with Luis Urbina, a native of El Salvador, who was nominated for a scholarship by Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC). Luis received a First Literacy Scholarship in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
Luis grew up in a small village in El Salvador with his mother and younger siblings. Although his mother did not finish elementary school, she encouraged her children to pursue every educational opportunity available to them. Luis worked hard to make her proud, explaining, “There was not a better feeling for me than seeing her happy at the annual year-end school ceremony. She always worked very hard so that we could go to school and get a higher education than she did.”
He told us about the challenges he faced before receiving a First Literacy scholarship and how First Literacy impacted his journey.
What challenges were you facing before receiving a First Literacy scholarship?
Luis: Before receiving a First Literacy Scholarship, my biggest challenge was figuring out how to afford higher education. I wanted to go back to school, but not knowing how I would pay for it was one of my biggest fears at the beginning of my journey.
How did your time with First Literacy lay the foundation for your career and life journey?
Luis: First Literacy helped me understand how the college system works, especially when it came to tuition and navigating college. Through First Literacy, I met people who guided me as I made important decisions and showed me that going back to school was possible if I was willing to work hard.
How did your experience with First Literacy influence your educational path?
Luis: It inspired my educational journey and helped me better understand what I wanted to study. Support from First Literacy helped me narrow my options so I could focus on the career path that was right for me. I believe that First Literacy was fundamental to both my educational success and the career I’ve built.
How has your education positively affected your work, family, or daily life?
Luis: My education has had a positive effect on both my work and daily life. I feel much more confident in areas where I struggled before returning to school. I learned many new things and practical skills at school, but I also discovered other benefits I hadn’t expected. At first, I only thought about the economic effect and financial advantages of earning a degree, but education gave me so much more than that. It helped me grow and become a better person and that’s priceless.
What have you been doing in the years since graduating from college and First Literacy?
Luis: After graduating from Bunker Hill Community College in 2024 with an associate’s degree in accounting, I was accepted to UMass. When financial aid was not available, I instead attended Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. Since then, I’ve worked managing my family’s construction company, where I’ve applied the knowledge and skills I gained through my education. While the journey has had its challenges, I’ve made the most of the opportunities that have come my way. I also believe my education has given me greater confidence in professional settings and prepared me for continued growth and success in my career.
Beyond The Scholarship
The journeys of these two alumni remind us that a scholarship is about far more than financial assistance. It is an investment in people’s potential.
Today, both graduates are building meaningful careers, continuing to learn and grow professionally, and giving back to their communities. Their stories demonstrate how access to education, combined with determination and support, can create opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. Education strengthens families, workplaces, and communities for years to come.