Success Through Total Victory
Meet Jalessa Caslin
Jalessa was an outstanding student at Lamar County Comprehensive High School. She was involved in many extracurricular activities including: JROTC, Drama Club, Volleyball, Soccer, and Basketball. Her teachers and coaches loved her dearly and spoke very highly of her. After High School she had planned to attend The University of North Georgia. Jalessa’s plans changed when she found out that she was pregnant the summer before her senior year in high school. While pregnant, Jalessa still aspired to be the best student that she could and remained participating in non-physical club activities. Although her plans changed, she was still motivated to attend college. Jalessa gave birth to a healthy baby girl on February 15, 2013. Jalessa was self-motivated and determined to graduate High School and go to college. While managing life with her new born daughter, Jalessa maintained her school life. Because of her dedication and determination Jalessa graduate High School on June 14, 2013. During a recent interview Jalessa was asked how she felt at the time with so many obligations at a young age. She stated, “It was quite overwhelming, but I had an amazing support system. My fiancé, who was also my child’s father did his part as a parent and boyfriend, so it made everything possible. Mrs. Crystal Toombs and Ms. Gloria provided a loving and supportive environment for teen mothers through their organization. It was frowned upon to be pregnant in high school, but the support given through Total Victory gave it a different perspective. Many people believe that it is impossible for a teen mother to graduate high school, but the tools and guidance through Total Victory helped make it believable and achievable”.
After marrying her High School sweetheart, Jalessa became a military spouse. Her husband, Jermaine Caslin, enlisted into the United States Army. Upon moving to their first duty station, Jalessa soon after had their second child. She gave birth to a handsome, healthy baby boy on August 25, 2015. Soon after giving birth to her son, she registered for college. She has completed her Associates of the Arts Degree in Psychology from Pierce College on May 12, 2017. My short-term goal is to be a stay at home mom and supportive military spouse”. Jalessa plans to return to school one day to become a Child Psychologist.
MEET Lateace LEE
Can you imagine being 15 years old, pregnant and homeless? That was me, Lateace Lee, over 15 years ago. We became homeless after my mom decided to leave her boyfriend after three years of sexual and physical abuse toward my mom, my sister and myself. At that time, we had left behind what I thought was our entire problem until I realized that he was not the whole problem just a major piece of it. After leaving my mom’s boyfriend, I discovered that my mom had a very bad drug problem, which caused us to be homeless for a longer period. She would smoke and drink up all the money. This went on for what seemed like an eternity however it was only 6 months or so.
Thanks to Total Victory we were able to begin to live life in a whole new way. This change helped me to finish High School. I was the first person in my immediate family to graduate from High school and start College. In my junior year of high school, I decided that I wanted to become a social worker to help individuals and families overcome struggles and barriers that may try to prevent them from succeeding in life. After graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School, with my daughter in tow, I attended Kent State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and family Studies with a Concentration in case Management. Afterwards, I completed my master’s at Case Western Reserve and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Currently, I work with individuals who struggle with addiction and substance abuse.