CAN'T STOP ME NOW 

Julia Miller can’t be stopped. Since moving into the Gatewood three years ago, she has thrived. She earned her GED, and is now on her way to becoming a Medical Assistant. And with every step she gives gracious thanks to the “awesome” people of Plymouth Housing Group who have helped her along the journey.

Julia’s past is laden with painful experiences from time spent in what she dubs “the shelter circuit.” As a result, she had severe trust issues when she walked through the Gatewood’s doors.

“My trust was completely destroyed in the shelters. It’s taken a very long time to get to where I am—to be able to open up and trust another person. The staff here has helped me in my personal life more than I can say.”

Julia slept on a friend’s couch while her name inched to the top of PHG’s waiting list for housing. Six months after walking into the Rental Office, her patience paid off.

“When the call came that an apartment was ready for me, it was better than anything I can imagine—better than a winning lottery ticket.”

Not only has Julia worked through her fears since being in her new home, but she has continued to set goals and achieve them. Earning her GED is among her proudest accomplishments.

“At 42, that’s really something!”

Today she’s enrolled in her first quarter of North Seattle Community College’s Medical Assistant Program, after completing her pre-requisites there last year. And she did more than just finish those required classes, she excelled.

Last spring she came across an envelope in the mail from the college. Fearing something might have fallen through with her financial aid, she reluctantly opened it—and as Julia says, her “jaw hit the table.”

It was not an issue of financial aid at all, rather a letter inviting her to join the Phi Theta Kappa Society, an international honor society of two-year colleges.

“I was speechless.”

Julia, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder as an adult grew up believing she wasn’t smart and didn’t have potential.

“30 years ago, nobody knew what ADHD was. All during childhood people told me I was never going to amount to anything, that I couldn’t finish anything.”

During her induction ceremony into Phi Theta Kappa, Julia raised her thumbs to the air.

“I did it!”

“Phi Theta Kappa opens so many doors. To have that on my transcript and resume… it just feels so good.”

Julia is in class four days a week, working harder than ever toward her dream of helping people in a medical environment.

“There’s nothing on earth that will stop me!”

She has nothing but positive words to share about the program she’s a part of. But her deepest gratitude she saves for Plymouth Housing Group.