“I was a terrible speller,” remembers Rhiannon Middleton. I didn’t know how to make a sentence. I had no idea what punctuation was for. My math was even worse; I didn’t know how to multiply.”

Rhiannon was 25 years old, and life had spiraled into homelessness and heartache. “When I decided to put my life back together, I hadn’t been to school for ten years.” Nothing about school had ever worked for her. Back in 9th grade, she walked out with no intention to return.

On behalf of herself and her children, Rhiannon summoned resolve. She knew she couldn’t go it alone. Big steps included applying for residency in the Joshua Station program and re-starting her education.

Rhiannon set her sights on getting her GED*, realizing it could open doors. She enrolled in prep courses at Emily Griffith Technical College. Given her past bad school experiences, she grappled with insecurities. “I was shy, and it was hard to ask for help,” she remembers. But Rhiannon felt welcome at Emily Griffith, and she attended every day for a year.

“I went to one room for reading and writing, where awesome people would patiently help. Then another room for history and science. I especially remember the math room, with older ladies at tables ready to work with me. I learned to multiply!”

With the support of both the school and Joshua Station staff, Rhiannon completed her GED. She wasn’t ready to stop; next were business classes at Emily Griffith. She earned high marks, but decided business was not for her. Onward and upward to college, which in turn led to employment.

After five years working elsewhere, Rhiannon landed her dream job in 2011—at Joshua Station.

Though Rhiannon’s first role was administrative assistant, she made clear her ultimate goal was family advocate. After more training and experience, she was ready. A dozen years later now, she still comes alongside residents ready for the same courageous steps she took those many years ago.

So our story’s arc continues—the lineage of remarkable women’s work, multiplying:

  • From a young Denver schoolteacher Emily Griffith (last week’s story)… 
  • To Rhiannon at Joshua Station, first as a young mother in school and now advocate for others…
  • To new Joshua Station residents pursuing their educations at Emily Griffith Technical College (next week’s story)

Rhiannon, we celebrate you! We’re grateful for gifts you’ve worked so hard to grow and to offer to our community.

*General Educational Development Test (high school equivalency)