License to Succeed: A Changing Lanes Story

“In California, you need a driver’s license to do anything,” said Vanessa. “It’s just hard 

Living in North County and not having a car makes it even harder, especially with a baby on the way. 

Although Vanessa already had her permit, she didn’t have a car for driving practice or for use in the actual driving test.  

So, Vanessa worked with JIT Changing Lanes coordinator, Iza, to find a driving school in North County that could assist with behind-the-wheel driving practice and testing.  

When Iza texted Vanessa to tell her she had enrolled her in a driving school closer to her home in Vista, Vanessa was thrilled.  “I was so excited! I thought I was just going to have to wait until after I had the baby, but Iza kept looking. She was just on it for me. She helped me out so much with that.”  

“The school let me use one of their cars to take the driving test. It was a lot easier to use their car. Being a former foster youth, I didn’t have anyone that I could ask, like, ‘Hey, can I use your car to take this test?’ That’s the part I struggled with. That’s what helped the most to get my license. I probably wouldn’t have gotten my license if it weren’t for Changing Lanes.”  

Now that Vanessa has her license, next on the horizon is Financial Fitness and then College Bound; this gal is going places!