Journey to Success: From High School Diploma to CNA
April 21, 2026

When Rosanne Grzanich joined the Hand Up Project in January 2025, she was a shy 19-year-old who had recently relocated from Michigan to Illinois in search of a fresh start. She arrived with limited support, no personal transportation, and significant anxiety about testing, employment, and building a new life in an unfamiliar community. Yet, the simple act of walking through our doors was an act of courage.


Rosanne had completed high school through her junior year and had been independently studying for her GED. She believed strongly in preparing herself and was determined to earn her diploma without enrolling in formal prep classes. After enrolling in the Hand Up Project, her goal was clear: complete all GED modules and enter the workforce so she could contribute, save money, and eventually retrieve the vehicle she had left behind in Michigan.


In April 2025, Rosanne took her first GED module—the math test—and missed passing by just two points. For many, that might have been discouraging enough to step back. Instead, Rosanne immediately asked when she could retest. That moment spoke volumes about her character. Soon after, she passed the math module, gaining the confidence and momentum that would carry her forward.


Over the next several months, Rosanne balanced multiple responsibilities. She secured employment, enrolled in a CNA program, and continued studying for her remaining GED modules. In September, she passed the Science test, followed closely by the Literature and Writing module. By October, she had completed the Social Studies module, leaving only the Illinois Constitution test standing between her and her diploma.


At the same time, Rosanne completed her CNA clinicals and successfully passed her certification exam with an impressive score—demonstrating not only academic growth but professional readiness.


Her journey was not without obstacles. Rosanne faced illness, underwent a surgical procedure, and navigated the challenges of balancing work, school, and recovery. Yet through it all, she never stopped moving forward. After healing from surgery, she completed the Illinois Constitution test and officially earned her high school diploma on January 29, 2026.


In just one year, Rosanne transformed her life. She went from working toward her GED to securing employment, earning her CNA certification, and achieving her high school diploma. Her journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks do not define us—our response to them does.


Rosanne’s perseverance, self-discipline, and unwavering determination have been inspiring to witness. As her Family Advocate, I could not be prouder of the confident, capable young woman she has become. Her story is exactly what the Hand Up Project is all about: providing support, encouragement, and opportunity—while our clients do the courageous work of building their futures.


~Submitted by Nicole Wilder, CAPCIL Family Advocate

From Uncertainty to Opportunity: One Mother’s Journey Toward a Brighter Future

By Breann Titus • March 24, 2026
Last summer, Paige made the courageous decision to leave an unsafe and unhealthy living situation. With her three children, she relocated to Logan County in search of stability, safety, and a better environment for her family. During that transition, they stayed on a friend’s couch while Paige worked to determine their next steps. By September, Paige and her children were able to move into their own apartment with the help of income-based housing. At the time, Paige was not working, so having rent based on her income created a crucial foundation of stability. With safe housing secured, she began thinking beyond immediate needs and started focusing on long-term goals. That’s when Paige shared something powerful: she wanted to earn her real estate license. She had already researched schools and found an online program—her only barrier was the cost. Together, we began working on scholarship paperwork and gathering the necessary documents, including her high school transcript, to explore funding options. In the meantime, an unexpected blessing arrived. Paige’s stepmother generously offered to cover the cost of her realtor classes. Paige immediately enrolled and began taking courses online, motivated and ready to build a new future. Then another challenge arose—her laptop broke. For many, that might have been enough to pause or postpone their plans. But not Paige. Determined to keep moving forward, she continued attending classes on her phone. While she made it work, certain assignments and features were difficult to access without a computer. When Paige mentioned the issue, CAPCIL staff reached out internally to see if we could help. With supervisor approval, we were able to lend her a laptop so she could fully participate in her coursework. Today, Paige is already halfway through her realtor classes. In just a few short months, she has navigated relocation, housing instability, financial barriers, and technical challenges—all while parenting three children and supporting her son Jaqson as he adjusts to a new school and community. Through it all, Paige has remained focused on creating a brighter future for her family. She has not allowed her circumstances to define her. Instead, she continues to push forward, setting goals and working diligently to achieve them. Her story is a powerful reminder that with stability, encouragement, and community support, families can move from crisis to confidence. We are honored to be part of Paige’s journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next. 💙 ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate

From Barriers to New Beginnings: Journey to Safe, Stable Housing

By Breann Titus • February 24, 2026
In September 2024, Hayle first connected with our team when her son, Grayson, enrolled in our Menard County Head Start program. What began as a typical school-year relationship between a parent and our staff quickly grew into something more — a partnership focused on stability, advocacy, and hope. Over time, Hayle began sharing some of the challenges she was facing. She and Grayson were living in a trailer that had ongoing maintenance issues. Pipes frequently broke, the furnace did not function properly, and repairs were a constant financial strain. The instability of the home environment added stress to an already difficult season of life. At the same time, Grayson was celebrating remission from cancer — a milestone that came after an incredibly challenging journey for their family. While navigating follow-up care and the emotional weight that comes with recovery, Hayle remained determined to give her son as much normalcy as possible. Near the end of the school year, another obstacle arose when the engine in Hayle’s car failed. Without bus transportation available, she worked tirelessly to find ways to get Grayson to school most days. Her resilience and commitment to her son’s education never wavered, even when reliable transportation was no longer an option. Earlier in January 2025, Hayle had applied for public housing in Petersburg and was placed on a waiting list. By August, she still had not received any updates. After reaching out to the local housing authority, we learned that a lease from more than eight years ago — tied to a previous relationship — had an unpaid balance that was preventing her approval. As part of her ongoing engagement as a CSBG client for over a year, Hayle had consistently worked toward improving her family’s situation. After speaking with the property manager and explaining her circumstances, the housing authority agreed to give her a second chance if the outstanding balance could be resolved. With approval from leadership, we were able to assist in paying the remaining amount owed on the prior lease. One month later, Hayle received life-changing news: her application had been approved, and her apartment keys were ready. Today, Hayle and Grayson are living in a safe, stable apartment in the same town as Grayson’s school. The move has relieved the financial burden of constant home repairs and made school attendance far more manageable while Hayle continues working toward securing reliable transportation. Stories like Hayle’s remind us that community action is about more than services — it is about relationships, advocacy, and removing barriers that stand in the way of stability. We are proud of Hayle’s perseverance and honored to have walked alongside her family on this journey toward a brighter future. ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate