2014 Champion Rebecca Benson

Faced with a difficult decision

Pursuing education often comes with short-term sacrifice, but the payoff can be huge.

Rebecca Benson, 24, had been working full time for several years at a chicken processing plant when, through a chance connection with the District School Board of Niagara, she was offered a chance to take personal support worker training.

A single mother of a young child, she was reluctant to quit her job. So she kept working and started classes.

After just three months, Rebecca's instructor told her she wouldn't be able to keep up the pace required to complete her schooling.

It was a difficult choice, but Rebecca quit her job, leaving her to support her family on Ontario Works assistance.

But, with hard work and perseverance, she completed the program and is now a full-time personal support worker.

"Don't think that you can't do it just because you are a single mom," she advises. "There is so much help out there. You just have to look."

Story by Jaymie Nelson

Photo submitted by Rebecca Benson