“I can talk about my experience, and they like hearing my stories when I was their age,” Douglas, 24, says of her students. “They get to ask me questions, and I can be real with them. Life is messy, and we get to talk about that mess in here.”
JAG is a state-based, national not-for-profit organization active in 39 states that assists high school students by helping them overcome academic challenges and achieve graduation. JAG Indiana is administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Since launching 13 years ago, JAG Indiana has grown to be one of the largest affiliates in the national network, with 137 programs statewide.
Douglas knew none of that. But what she did know was that she needed guidance. Her mother was in and out of her life, forcing Douglas to bounce from one family member to another with no real stability.
“I wanted to have a stable place, and I never did,” Douglas recalls. “I always had people who were there, but me wanting to get out of that cycle, to get past high school and go to college, I felt like it wasn’t a possibility until I got into JAG.”
Douglas says JAG gave her hope, a sense of independence and the confidence she needed to apply to a four-year institution. She originally had planned to start at Ivy Tech Community College. But without a stable home, and no room-and-board available there, she set her sights on Indiana State University.
Derek Morgan, DWD’s Region 8 JAG Outreach Coordinator, has become one of the biggest influences in Douglas’ life.
“If it wasn’t for JAG, I would have never went to go visit ISU,” Douglas says. “I would have never found that home away from home. That opportunity is something I would have never had, if it wasn’t for Derek.”
Douglas graduated from ISU in 2018 with a degree in human development and family services.
Following a quick stint in Florida working in childcare, Douglas returned to Indiana in 2019 with plans to take a job at the Indiana Department of Child Services. DCS, though, froze the job she thought she had, according to Douglas.
As the old adage goes, everything happens for a reason. Morgan, the Region 8 JAG Outreach Coordinator, presented Douglas with the opportunity to interview for the Owen Valley High JAG Specialist position. She got the job and started in August 2019.
“Her perseverance is a great lesson for the kids that she works with,” Morgan said. “Just because you’re going through difficult times in high school doesn’t mean that has to be your story, and that’s a huge benefit for the students to hear that.”
Watch a short video on Keyona Douglas: https://youtu.be/5xZUxyuxw6I
Click here to view more episodes in the 20 in 2020 series.
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