ICDC College Los Angeles Graduate Overcomes Challenges of Job Loss and Homelessness to Become ACCSC 2010 Graduate of the Year
ICDC College Graduate, Vickie Knight’s Personal Journey Provides Story of Hope and Inspiration Amid Struggling Job Market
LOS ANGELES, September 29, 2010 – ICDC College graduate, Vickie Knight has been named the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) 2010 Graduate of the Year. Ms. Knight, a 58-year-old native of Los Angeles and a graduate of the Alcohol and Drug Counseling program at ICDC College’s Los Angeles Campus, overcame seemingly insurmountable odds following a major job loss that forced her to move to a homeless shelter in Los Angeles’ Skid Row district. This week, Ms. Knight’s incredible journey will reach a milestone, when she is honored by the ACCSC on Thursday at an award ceremony in Philadelphia, PA.
“I am living proof that even in the darkest times, and facing challenges that seem too big to overcome, you have to remain positive, keep your faith, and just keep pushing onward,” said Knight. “I’m incredibly grateful to the people at the New Image Homeless Shelter and my ICDC College family in Los Angeles for the invaluable resources and support that has helped me turn my dream into a reality.”
The ACCSC Graduate of the Year award recognizes those graduates of ACCSC-accredited institutions who have demonstrated several key components, including outstanding scholastic achievement, leadership, advanced and extraordinary commitment to their occupational field or community, and personal stories that demonstrate perseverance to overcome adversity. 800 ACCSC-accredited institutions located throughout the United States had the opportunity to submit nominations for the award. Knight is a graduate of ICDC College’s Los Angeles Campus, which is being recognized by ACCSC as a “School of Distinction” this year, along with the school’s Huntington Park Campus. Both Ms. Knight and ICDC College’s Los Angeles and Huntington Park campuses will be honored during the ACCSC Professional Development Conference ceremony on Thursday, September 30, 2010, at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia, PA.
“Vickie Knight’s story exemplifies the value that ICDC College and vocational institutions in general, provide within our communities in offering the means for individuals to forge life-changing career paths when four-year Universities just are not an option,” said David Hall, ICDC College’s Regional Director. “The entire staff and faculty at ICDC College are extremely proud of Vickie and we’re also honored that both our Los Angeles and Huntington Park campuses will be recognized by the ACCSC this week in Philadelphia.”
Ms. Knight’s journey is made even more impressive by the fact that she did not seek preferential treatment because of her homeless status. While enrolled at ICDC College and completing her course work, she did not inform any of the ICDC staff that she was homeless and living on Skid Row. Instead she consistently exhibited a positive attitude and demeanor similar to any other student. But unlike the others, Knight would travel to a homeless shelter at night, carrying her textbooks, along with all of her personal possessions in her backpack.
While attending ICDC College, Ms. Knight graduated with over a 96% grade point average and accumulated five “Perfect Attendance” awards. Ms. Knight completed her 270 hours of externship at the New Choice Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California, and was eventually hired as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor in November 2009.
Ms. Knight found the inspiration to enroll specifically in ICDC College’s Alcohol and Drug Counseling program, after witnessing first-hand the severe devastation of substance abuse on those living on Skid Row. She intends to channel her personal experience within her career in an effort to help others turn their lives around by creating a non-profit shelter for women entitled, “The Welcome House” with guidance from ICDC College.
“I can’t imagine any career being more rewarding for me than being able to help others who have hit rock bottom in their own lives and help them overcome their personal challenges the way that I did,” said Ms. Knight. “Sometimes, the difference is seeing someone else who has gone through it and successfully made it to the other side, and I want to be that example that makes the difference and provides hope to those when they need it most.”
About ICDC College – ICDC College offers distinct Associate's Degree programs and short-term diploma programs online in careers such as Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Paralegal and Homeland Security. ICDC College offers 20 diploma/certificates on campus including Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Homeland Security and Investigation, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Computerized Accounting, Medical Office Management, Physical Therapy Aide, Dental Technician, Graphic/Web Development, Massage Therapy and Paralegal. ICDC College in affiliation with Los Angeles Unified School District offers free G.E.D. classes for its students and the general public as a community service. ICDC College has multiple campus locations throughout Southern California. Government Financial Aid, including Veteran benefits is available for those students who qualify. ICDC College is recognized as a “School of Distinction” and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. ICDC College is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs as an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) and is proud to offer both Yellow Ribbon and MyCAA scholarships for those veterans and military personnel who qualify. Please visit icdccollege.edu/military. Please call 1-800-213-5229 or visit www.icdccollege.edu for more information.
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