Monique Nolberto graduated from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology this past May, but her journey started with the Charlestown HiSet Adult Education Program in 2019. Before Monique was speaking at her college graduation and graduating with high honors, she was a part of the Charlestown HiSet Adult Education Program.

The road to where Monique is now was not an easy one. Originally from Belize, Monique moved to Massachusetts when she was 11 with some family. From bouncing around shelter to shelter to being homeless at 17 years old she landed an apartment at Charlestown and has been a resident for 7 years. Monique said, “I wanted to better my life not only for myself but for my daughter Aaliyah.” She saw the HiSet program being advertised around the development and it sparked her interest.

She wasn’t sure about the program at first and was struggling with English class, but the staff members especially Marilyn and John really pushed Monique to succeed and she did. “They were really motivating and were always keeping me focused. I wanted to succeed like they did.” When she graduated the program in 2019, she received a scholarship from the BHA and went to BFIT with a focus on construction. She described her father as “my own Bob the Builder” so she was always around building and working with hands. This helped her decide what she wanted to major in.

Monique worked and studied during the Covid pandemic all while raising her daughter as a single mother. Monique received her Associates Degree in Construction Management with high honors. Monique gave a lot of thanks to the HiSet program and all of the wonderful staff there. Congratulations Monique and good luck with everything in the future!