The Story of Londyn
Written by Kelly Luttinen
One of the ways Better Way Detroit serves people is by helping them complete their education. “Many of our participants are younger and not always ready to go directly into the workforce,” said Fr. Marko Djonovic, founder of Better Way Detroit.
Nineteen-year-old Londyn is one of those young people. Through Better Way, she not only got a job working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, but she started classes toward getting her GED.
“I was at St. Vincent de Paul with the other female workers, tagging clothes and hanging them,” she said. “If we met our goal, then we would get a voucher for a free item. And we got paid for the work.”
“They (Better Way) offer what they feel like they believe a person needs,” she said. “I’d been talking about finishing school and getting my driver’s license.”
Better Way helped Londyn start classes at SER Metro Detroit. “SER Metro is basically an alternative school, where I take high school classes toward my GED,” she said.
She now is attending classes with the goal of one day working in construction.
“It’s a big step for me,” she said, adding there is a possibility she will have the chance to do some actual construction work on a construction site during her schooling. “I want to do cement and paint,” she said.
Londyn is grateful for the help she received from Better Way Detroit. “It’s pushing me and helping me move forward with life,” she said. “Everything has been great since I started with Better Way Detroit, now that I am in school, and I just keep prospering.”
When asked what she would say to other young people about getting involved with Better Way Detroit, she said, “I would tell them they should do it. It’s a great opportunity. You could end up finding all sorts of things you love to do.”
“They have helped me a lot. They put me in a better state of mind. People my age go through a lot. Being able to go somewhere that is super positive, and getting to be around others my age and making new friends. I love the experience.”