St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, Winning Futures Class of 2000
As a teen at Warren Mott High School, Hollie struggled with depression and low self-esteem. She knew college would be great for her but didn’t have the money. Classroom facilitator and Warren Consolidated Schools teacher, Linda Reinhart, encouraged Hollie to stick to her goal and apply to college anyway. Linda helped Hollie apply for college, research her options, and figure out what career field she wanted to pursue. In 2005, Hollie received her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Central Michigan University. Today, she works as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland hospital and is a licensed foster parent.
“I never thought I could be a single foster parent and hold a full-time job,” said Hollie. “I’m so proud of where I am now, compared to where I started when I was in high school.”