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A True Success Story for OTC Student

Heather Sunshine Baucom is a student in the Business Office Technology program at Ogeechee Technical College.  She and her sons are also residents of Safe Haven in Statesboro.  Heather has given permission for her story to be shared with readers.  This is a powerful example of how Ogeechee Tech can be an important part of helping someone put their life back together.  The work of Safe Haven is very important, and Ogeechee Tech is happy to have supported the residents of Safe Haven with a Christmas party this past December.  Ms. Baucom and her sons were there to enjoy the event.  Here is Sunshine’s story.
Heather and her children.

My journey at Safe Haven has been an interesting one.  Not only have I made some lifelong friends, but I’ve also had some amazing help along the way.  I came to Safe Haven about one and a half years ago to get away from an abusive relationship.  He was an alcoholic who was occasionally physically abusive, but mainly verbally abusive.  I was able to stay with my mother for a while, but he stalked me there too.  He would constantly call DFCS on me, but the case worker saw there were no problems in the household, so she suggested Safe Haven.

It was scary when I first came to Statesboro.  I didn’t know anyone or even know where I was.  But there were plenty of new friends to be made quickly.  I soon started my job search. Although I did not want to work in fast food, I took a job at Sonic.  This turned out to be a good choice for me.  Since enrolling at OTC, my boss plans my work schedule around my classes. I am currently enrolled in the Business Office Technology program, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.  I have been named to the President’s list, named a GOAL student, and have been recommended by my advisors for membership to the National Technical Honor Society.  After graduating from OTC this coming summer, I plan to return to my hometown in Sandersville, GA and pursue a job as a secretary and rebuild my life there.

I appreciate so much, the help, love, and support the staff at Safe Haven has given me.

Contact: Barry Turner
Executive Director for Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu