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Class of 2018 | Human Services‌

Katherine Esparra has encountered closed doors all her life, but none have been able to stop her. The one door that was easiest to open made all the difference: Bristol.

Katherine arrived in Massachusetts in 2007 after a tumultuous life in her home state of New Jersey. Among the events of her past, Katherine dropped out of school. Family encouragement made the move to restart her education.

She was greeted with the same boost from Angela Boffi at the Bristol Workforce Center. “She made me feel welcome, and I think that’s one of the reasons that I stayed at BCC,” said Katherine. 

Katherine went through the Bristol HiSET program, passed, and something just clicked.

“After I got my HiSET, I fell in love with school all over again,” said Katherine. “I thought, ‘What now? I’m not doing anything, let’s keep going.’”

Katherine has always been an advocate for the disadvantaged, specifically kids in need of a chance. She decided to make a career of this passion, and pursued an associate’s degree in Human Services from Bristol. 

Katherine’s studies included acquiring an internship. She joined the team of Southeast Center for Independent Living (SCIL) for a three-month internship, which was capped off with a full-time job offer. This position will set in motion what’s to come when she finishes her bachelor’s at Rhode Island College.

“To me it’s not work,” said Katherine. “When you love your job it’s not a job. I know that I make a difference in these kids’ lives.”