Recent Testimonials for S.W.E.E.P Students
 
2008 Graduate
“It was really scary to come back to school after being out for so long. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the program staff.”
 
2008 Graduate
“I’d been out of school for a while. I felt like a little fish in water here at first because I didn’t come with a lot of community experience. But the S.W.E.E.P. program is great because students in the program took me under their wings and I’m more involved in the community now that I ever was before.”
 
Social Work Graduate
“This is my foundation. I came to S.W.E.E.P. to get a degree because my job required me to do so. I enjoyed all of the staff and instructors because they encouraged me to get my Masters [in Social Work]. S.W.E.E.P. was a system within itself.”
 
Social Work Graduate
“Sometimes college was hard and difficult but everyone [the students] would pull together and we all ended up graduating together and we were treated so special with corsages and everything. I encourage you to keep pushing through and support each other and work together.”
 
Social Work Graduate
“I dropped out in high school but went back and got my GED. I had zero credits for college. No one in my family had graduated from college. I am living proof that if you apply yourself you too can get a degree. I went from earning $18,000 to $40,000 [per year] because I have a degree.”
 
Social Work Graduate
“I felt love the first time that I walked through the [S.W.E.E.P.] doors. I am the first of seven children to graduate from college. Now I feel that I am able to go places. At times you’ll feel like you want to cry and quit. Look at yourself in the mirror and say you can, know that your cohort will pull you through.”
 
2008 Graduate
“I’m 43 years old and I have a daughter in college following in my footsteps.” 
 
2007 Graduate
“You can feel the warmth from the students and teachers here. It feels like family, [which] is different from Livonia. Here, we are more mature (and have more in common with regard to age, family, job, community). It’s been a great program.”
 
Social Work Graduate
“All knowledge is used every day. We didn’t see each other as African?American, Latina, or Caucasian. We saw each other as sisters, without color, sisters who helped each other. I was the first in my family to graduate. Everything I learned in class I use at work today. We called each other for help with classes and support. The tutorial lab really helped me with my writing. I learned professional skills. I have been promoted three to four times with my current employer. I have learned the joy of serving, which, I learned from my experience with Madonna University.