Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, Derrick V. did not have “the healthiest environment.” Surrounded by poverty, poor relationships, and dire mental health, education was never a priority for Derrick. He left high school in 2008 with no plan to return.
Working towards his mental well-being would change that.
In 2020, Derrick would move to the District. Here, he’d notice a surplus of social resources compared to Wilmington. He’d join group therapy, opening up about his alcohol abuse and low self-esteem. Counselors and peers would refute his negative self-talk, reminding him of the shining human being he was. Their support inspired him to get sober.
“Having a clear mind and not being filled with substances like alcohol awakened my own inner vision that I always had on the inside, but forgot on the outside.”
Now that he was sober, he felt like he could do anything. So, when his group counselor told him about the Academy of Hope (AoH), he enrolled in the GED program in 2023.
Returning to school would feel “natural” to Derrick. He’d pass three of the core subjects in a breeze: English, social studies, and science. Though math was not his strong suit, he’d learn to approach it like a puzzle, improving his ability to retain strategies and solve problems correctly. This new system would help him pass the math exam, the final test needed for his GED. He’d hear the celebratory news on Christmas Eve 2024 and walk the stage in June 2025.
“I definitely minimized myself to the point where I disconnected and thought the person I was was just a mere fantasy. It’s [graduating], not an imagination; it’s not a fantasy; it’s real, and I can continue with everything I plan to do in this world. And I plan to do a lot.”
Derrick would put those plans immediately into action. Upon graduating, he would join AoH’s alumni program, Hope Forward. There, he’d learn more about advancing his professional development, including college and career services.
He also transitioned to full-time student status at the University of the District of Columbia, Community College (UDC-CC), where he dual-enrolled while earning his GED. He later transferred to the University of Phoenix, studying for a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology in Media and Technology.
His attitude and hard work have helped him maintain a 4.0 GPA. Additionally, he is a part of the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), which shortens the time to complete his degree. He is the second learner from AoH to do so.
“I think when you stop learning, you stop living. And I plan to continue to live, so I will be studying, going to school, and doing lots and lots of research.”