Twice in two years, Jama Hoffman, a school counselor at Simmons Career Center, found a particular student in tears in her office. But, the second time, the student’s tears of despair had turned to tears of joy.
Student Adriana Saldierna and some other girls at the school had come to Hoffman’s office one day about two years ago, seeking mediation in a group conflict. After the spat was resolved and the other students had left the office, Saldierna stayed behind.
“I could tell there was something still bothering her,” Hoffman said.
Saldierna, 16 at the time, explained to Hoffman that her father had been deported, and her mother had returned to Mexico with him voluntarily. Saldierna was left behind, shocked and alone.
“I held her just like I would if she were my own child, and I promised her we’d get her through school,” Hoffman said.
For the remainder of that school year, Saldierna moved frequently. Her status as legally homeless allowed her to get transportation to school as long as she lived in Hillsborough County, but at times, she was outside of the county lines.
At the beginning of the fall 2013 semester, she moved in with her boyfriend and his family. Soon after, she discovered that she was expecting a baby.
Because of complications related to transportation and health, Saldierna stopped going to school. But, in the summer, she called Hoffman and told her that she wanted to return, even though she would have a new baby within weeks of the fall 2014 semester’s start.
Hoffman went to visit Saldierna in the trailer where she was living with her boyfriend. When she saw the state of need that Saldierna and her baby were in, she couldn’t just walk away without helping them get back on their feet.
“She’s very proud, she’s very mature,” Hoffman said. “She’s not the kind of person who would ask for help.”
Hoffman wrote a Facebook post explaining the general situation and asking people for help. She also notified faculty and staff at Simmons.
In no time at all, the community stepped forward to join the mission.
Faculty members baked casseroles and donated non-perishable groceries. A Simmons cafeteria worker offered her own child’s old baby clothes. One of Hoffman’s former students shipped a package of baby supplies, and the school’s former social worker had a connection for diaper donations.
“You should have seen my office,” Hoffman said. “I just had boxes everywhere.”
When Hoffman and other volunteers arrived at Saldierna’s trailer to give her the items that had been collected, they weren’t sure how she would receive the gesture.
“I was worried that she would feel embarrassed, so I shared with her times in my own life when I needed help and people stepped in and were there for me,” Hoffman said. “I told her I never forgot those times, and now I feel blessed that I can pay it forward.”
Some of Saldierna’s expenses were covered, as well. One of Hoffman’s old acquaintances from high school, whom she had not seen in decades, sent a check for $500, which paid for Saldierna’s monthly bills and driver license test, and her daughter’s birth certificate.
With the birth certificate, Saldierna could return to Simmons with peace of mind, knowing her baby was being cared for at the school’s childcare center during the day.
When the money had almost run out, Saldierna was hired at Belk Outlet, earning more than minimum wage because of a certification she had earned through Simmons.
Saldierna returned to Simmons and expects to graduate this January. Next, she plans to attend Hillsborough Community College on scholarships from Simmons and other funds, majoring in business.
Though Saldierna took her own initiative toward accomplishment after the community helped her take the first steps, she is beyond grateful for what they did.
“I didn’t struggle as much as I thought I would struggle,” she said. “And Ms. Hoffman is like my mom.”
SIMMONS CAREER CENTER
Simmons is a Hillsborough County Public School, but it is not like other high schools. Students attend Simmons for two years, earning a “second chance” at graduation while becoming certified in an industry that interests them. They can prepare for careers in agriculture, business or building construction.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.