Katie Lynn Degg exemplifies the “IdidUcan” mantra of LifeSkills. Katie Lynn, along with her eight brothers and sisters, grew up in the Michigan foster care system. As the oldest, Katie Lynn shouldered the additional burden of keeping track of her siblings as they were moved from one foster home to another and did her best to keep her now fragmented family together. Her deepest desire remained to reunite her family, but she did not have much hope. Refusing to back down, Katie Lynn decided to complete her high school diploma and began attending LifeSkills in Pontiac, Michigan in September of 2005. Katie Lynn graduated on June 14, 2006.
Because of her experience at LifeSkills, Katie Lynn encouraged her sister, Olivia, to also pursue her high school diploma at LifeSkills. Olivia enrolled in December of 2008 and, in spite of the many challenges she also faced, graduated in June of 2009 as the Valedictorian. Olivia was awarded a scholarship from Baker College and is now studying Social Work.
As great as this story is, it gets better. Katie Lynn, still pursuing her desire to reunite her family, has recently been given custody of her youngest brother, Steven. Steven is currently enrolled at LifeSkills Pontiac where he is determined to follow in his sisters’ footsteps. Katie Lynn and her husband are happy and remain grateful for the opportunity Katie Lynn had to achieve an education, gain a renewed confidence in bringing her family together, and lead a better life. Katie Lynn credits the LifeSkills Pontiac staff for motivating her to overcome her desperate situation and to never quit until she realized her dream.
LifeSkills Pontiac “She did; so did her sister; and her brother will soon!”
Katie Lynn Degg exemplifies the “IdidUcan” mantra of LifeSkills. Katie Lynn, along with her eight brothers and sisters, grew up in the Michigan foster care system. As the oldest, Katie Lynn shouldered the additional burden of keeping track of her siblings as they were moved from one foster home to another and did her best to keep her now fragmented family together. Her deepest desire remained to reunite her family, but she did not have much hope. Refusing to back down, Katie Lynn decided to complete her high school diploma and began attending LifeSkills in Pontiac, Michigan in September of 2005. Katie Lynn graduated on June 14, 2006.
Because of her experience at LifeSkills, Katie Lynn encouraged her sister, Olivia, to also pursue her high school diploma at LifeSkills. Olivia enrolled in December of 2008 and, in spite of the many challenges she also faced, graduated in June of 2009 as the Valedictorian. Olivia was awarded a scholarship from Baker College and is now studying Social Work.
As great as this story is, it gets better. Katie Lynn, still pursuing her desire to reunite her family, has recently been given custody of her youngest brother, Steven. Steven is currently enrolled at LifeSkills Pontiac where he is determined to follow in his sisters’ footsteps. Katie Lynn and her husband are happy and remain grateful for the opportunity Katie Lynn had to achieve an education, gain a renewed confidence in bringing her family together, and lead a better life. Katie Lynn credits the LifeSkills Pontiac staff for motivating her to overcome her desperate situation and to never quit until she realized her dream.
This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm and is filed under LifeSkills. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Congratulations on your graduation and all you have inspired in your siblings. Life Skill is wonderful and your story makes it all worth it. Thank you for sharing and continuing your positive attitude with such determination.
God will continue to bless you and hope you will find more of your siblings.
Most Sincerely,
Gerri Deal
Customer Relations Rep.
White Hat Management (parent company of Life Skills)
1-800-525-7967
330-252-8860 (direct)
Congratulations with your accomplishments first and foremost.
There is alot to be said of an individual who has accepted and overcome the obstacles set before them.
There is no doubt you will be a success, please share your sucesses with others.
Hi Katie,
Congratulations on your graduation and all you have inspired in your siblings. Life Skill is wonderful and your story makes it all worth it. Thank you for sharing and continuing your positive attitude with such determination.
God will continue to bless you and hope you will find more of your siblings.
Most Sincerely,
Gerri Deal
Customer Relations Rep.
White Hat Management (parent company of Life Skills)
1-800-525-7967
330-252-8860 (direct)
Dear Katie,
Congratulations!
What a heartfelt success story. May the blessings of God continue to rest upon you and your family.
Sincerely,
Sandy Matlock
Life Skills Board Member
Warren, Ohio
Dear Katie,
Congratulations. Your hard work is an inspiration to us all. I wish you continued success in your life’s journey.
Sincerely,
Benjamin D Crews
Family Advocate
Riverside Academy
3280 River Rd.
Cincinnati, Ohio
45204
513 921-7777 ext. 105
Hello Katie,
Congratulations with your accomplishments first and foremost.
There is alot to be said of an individual who has accepted and overcome the obstacles set before them.
There is no doubt you will be a success, please share your sucesses with others.
I love it!