A PSJA ISD parent said she’s fulfilling a dream she said she was forced to put aside after becoming a single mother.

“I had my family first. I had my babies first and it was hard and difficult for me to go back to school,” Daniela Dominguez said.

It's a situation that's many often find themselves in, according to a South Texas College official. 

“The needs for the adult population has come to be one of the greatest needs in our region, the large number of adult individuals who do not have a GED or higher education.” South Texas College Vice President for Academic Affairs & Development Anahid Petrosian said.

South Texas College is now offering free higher education programs for PSJA ISD parents through a new partnership that’s made possible through grant money awarded to STC.

“What we're trying to do is educate our community,” PSJA ISD Superintendent Alejandro Elias said. “If we can provide that avenue for our parents here at PSJA, then we're also closing that gap of poverty.”

The district's goal is to help parents earn industry certifications in high demand fields such as phlebotomy, welding — or become a community health worker.

“What better goal to have than to have a student graduate from STC with a certificate or associates next to their parent” Elias said.

In between raising her two children, Dominguez is now studying phlebotomy.  She goes to class for a couple of hours two days a week.

“I thought I would never do this until I got this opportunity,” Dominguez said, adding that she wants other parents in the Rio Grande Valley to know it's never too late.

“I wanna have my job, I wanna show my kids that I did it,” Dominguez said. “I'm a single mom, it's hard. It's difficult. But I want to prove them wrong that they can still do it no matter what age."

More information on the program is available online.

Watch the video above for the full story.