Zinha Alvarenga is a 20 year-old mother of a 2 year old son. She has been working on obtaining her GED since she started the TRA-Brockton YPP program on April 19th, 2013. Although Zinha is naturally reserved, her participation in classroom discussions and academic lessons has shown steady improvement. Zinha is a very polite young woman and a diligent worker.

In addition to her improvement in classroom participation, Zinha has also participated in trips to the De Cordova Art and Sculpture Museum in Lincoln, MA, the Brockton Public Library, the local farmer’s market in Brockton, and a Smart Shopper workshop at Harbor One Bank. Furthermore, Zinha also completed the “Choices” nutrition program and received a certificate of achievement in July 2013.

As of November, 2013, Zinha has re-tested in TABE math computation and has scored at the ninth grade level, an increase of three grade levels. Zinha continues to work diligently on improving her academic skills and is considering college or cosmetology school once she attains her GED.