Client Profiles

Gao Xiong

The Minneapolis Teen Parenting Program at Broadway Community High School in Minneapolis is one of HIRED’s several neighborhood-based programs for youth. The Broadway program is a collaboration between HIRED and the Minneapolis Public Schools, and offers a high school completion program, a GED curriculum, parenting classes and onsite childcare.

Gao Xiong was still a year away from receiving her high school diploma when she became pregnant. Soon after quitting school to care for her newborn, Gao realized she’d made a mistake. “I knew that I wouldn’t be able to succeed without a good education, even if it would be hard to do with a child. It is very important to me to have a career and take care of my family,” she said.

“Broadway offers teens opportunities they won’t find at other schools. The program staff helps us focus on developing the skills necessary to provide for a family, plus our GEDs and career counseling to help us find good jobs.”

Working with her HIRED counselor, Gao found a job in the produce department at Rainbow Foods. She took advantage of Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options program to begin taking college classes, and is now enrolled at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, studying child development. She plans to become a kindergarten teacher.


Chaw Moua

Chaw Moua, a senior at Edison High School in Minneapolis, is well on her way to developing the skills for success. She is secretary of the Hmong Club, a member of the National Honor Society and a student in the education magnet program. Chaw also attends English Command classes at the University of Minnesota. After school, she works two part-time jobs, tutoring younger Hmong children for the Minneapolis Public Schools and for a nonprofit.

When Chaw began planning for her future — she’s considering elementary education — she connected with HIRED’s Patty Armstrong, who staffs a career center at Edison. Patty worked with her to develop her resume, support her college search and help identify scholarships. She also helped Chaw turn a volunteer job into a paid position.