​I moved to Florida with two kids, coming from a church foundation, and I began attending Life Focus Ministry in Orlando FL regularly, which later became my home church.

​During a time when I was losing hours at my full-time job, a church member asked me to apply for an admin position. However, during the interview, she saw potential in me to become a teacher. In my first year as a teacher in a private school in Orlando, I taught a Life Management class. I asked my students what they wanted to do after graduating high school and received shocking and heartbreaking responses such as: "street pharmacist," "I don't want to go to college," "I won't graduate," "street life," and "alternative lifestyle."

I prayed and wanted to give them a fighting chance, as someone gave me one. So, my management recommended that I complete my college degree. Despite being a college dropout and a full-time teacher, I felt overwhelmed with emotions.

​I went back to school and created a plan to show my students that they have choices and that there are different ways to value themselves. I started by taking them on college tours, tutoring them, taking them on field trips, and doing community service, all while showing them personal love. This eventually expanded to the community and kids outside my classroom. With successful outcomes and a passion for getting those kids through high school and into college, I founded Rights to Success.

WILCOLA MCCARTHA