Shifting Focus: One Shift Leader’s Transition from Supporting a Family to Elevating Herself
It isn’t easy raising five kids alone. But what single mom Ana L. found at Summerwood is flexibility and a door that’s always been open to more opportunity. Today, Ana is a Shift Leader at our Deptford Taco Bell who’s finding more time for herself now that her children are mostly grown.
Working for Summerwood has opened doors for Ana to move up, pursue her GED and make a life for her family.
We sat down with Ana to hear more about her perseverance and dedication to family. And found out she’s taking advantage of Taco Bell’s Tacos & Tuition program!
Summerwood Support
Ana joined Summerwood in 2001 as a team member and Food Service Champion, after previously working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She’d just moved from Bronx, New York, after the birth of her oldest daughter.
“I didn’t want her to grow up in New York,” she shares. “I moved out here for a better place for her to be raised.”
Ana’s mom was already working at one of our Taco Bells as a team member, she says. So Ana interviewed and was hired, too. She began her career journey at the Deptford, NJ location.
She shares that while she’s moved to different places in New Jersey over the years, our company has always seemed to meet her where she’s at – giving her work opportunities and part-time hours whenever needed.
“It’s a good company … they care about the employees.” – Ana L., Shift Leader
Tapping into Tuition Benefit
Today, with just three teenagers at home, Ana has found that what she needs most is to take advantage of newfound time! Last week, she started accessing our upfront tuition benefit through the Tacos & Tuition program.
For Ana, who doesn’t have a high school diploma, she knows this will only open more doors.
“I just had to work for my kids,” she shares of her singular focus all of these years.
Through Tacos & Tuition, Ana has started taking courses in office management. She says her program is expected to take 18 months to complete. After that, she will pursue her high school diploma.
Ana is taking office management courses at no cost to her thanks to Summerwood.
““I’ll be happy,” she says. “At least I accomplished something in life, you know?”
Ana shares how she’s working and going to school at the same time: with focused dedication. She says she often gets home from work and puts in four to five hours of studying to stay on top of her courseload.
What’s next for Ana? She says she’s interested in transitioning from the restaurant scene to our support center. And we’re most interested in seeing that happen!