My name is Adalinda. When I graduated from Carleton College I was blind to my choices. I was 21, alone, jobless, and drowning in student loans. My dreams of travel, owning a motorcycle, owning my own business were VERY far away. When you feel overwhelmed you don’t feel like you have the freedom to choose regardless if the choices are available. This society is filled with choices – resources, programs, centers, etc. to bring hope in difficult situations. I believe Growing Up Healthy intends to open people’s eyes to choices/resources. People who feel they can choose, usually will. As myself – now with my RG motorcycle, a gardening business, and moving forward on my debt – those choices once seen, made all the difference.