Carrying on– and building– a legacy
Helen grew up in a small village in Belize before immigrating to the U.S. After working as a nanny and moving to Chicago, she found a compassionate community at Oakton and the TRIO program. She graduated with her GED and A.A. degree before transferring to Northeastern Illinois University.
“Growing up in Belize we didn’t have much money. However, our needs were always met (but not our wants). As I told my daughter, she and I have inherited my mother’s generous heart. In our home, going anywhere after finishing grade school was never talked about. So the day before my first college class, I was nervous. I mean, I got to that door and literally my heart was racing.
It took me nine years to go to Oakton. Sometimes I took one class, sometimes I took two classes. What I want to talk about with people, especially students, is that it doesn’t matter how many classes you take, as long as you take one class at a time. Sometimes you have to take two, sometimes you can only take one, but don’t let that deter you from completing your goals.”
Real-world learning experience leads to a calling
A memorable assignment from Helen’s Sociology 101 course was to find a local internship. Little did she know it would lead her into a career in the social services field.
“The agency was run by my friend; the services that they provided were welfare-to-work. It was a program that [President] Clinton signed into office. All these people who were on welfare had to go find jobs, but most of them did not have a high school diploma. So I actually got an internship there and everybody, when they heard my story [about going to college with a GED], would say, “Did you really do that?” I had to bring all my papers from the GED program literally to show them that: here I am in Oakton Community College.”
Oakton student turned parenting educator
Helen Hurry received Oakton’s Distinguished Alumni Award this September 2024. Her career as a family advocate and parent educator at Family Focus spans 25+ years, as she’s supported more than 500 families and 1,000 children and counting. These days, Helen continues to teach parenting classes and is writing a memoir.
“Just before I turned 70, I got the phone call saying that you were receiving this prestigious award, and I'm like okay, so this is a milestone for me and everything is coming full circle.
The people around me know that I have a very strong belief which guides me, and so I’m actually mindful of everyone that I meet. As we navigate through life, it doesn’t matter what kind of work you do, and what your economic status is, that I am not better than anyone. The motto is to treat people with dignity and respect.
The most important thing in my class is that each participant takes responsibility for their actions. If they can’t take responsibility then they haven’t learned from their mistakes. We teach how their actions can increase or decrease conflict, and how to discipline with smiles not tears. Each participant is given the assignment to find resources in their community, not only for themselves, but for anyone whom they may meet who needs help.
I let them know this from day one. I will never let you walk through this journey by yourself. I will always be here, and I’m always there for them.”