Nursing her dreams

Josie Medina was taking classes at UT Arlington when she first heard about the university's partnership with The Gatehouse.

Why it matters: Before joining The Gatehouse, Medina was living with family in Denton, splitting a bedroom with her son.

• Now, two years later, she works as a nurse in Dallas and has her own apartment with her son, who is 16 years old.

Flashback: Medina, 35, tells Axios that limited time and money as a single mom forced her to set aside her career aspirations for many years.

• "A lot of times, it did seem unattainable because I took so many breaks," Medina says.

The intrigue: After moving to The Gatehouse in 2023, Medina was able to connect with other single moms and find mentorship.

• It was also the first time her son got his own room and received counseling.

What's next: Medina graduated UT Arlington in December with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She moved out of The Gatehouse in July.

• She says she wants to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) next.

The bottom line: "To be here now, it is just what I always envisioned: me as a nurse walking down the hallways," Medina tells Axios.

• "It's the only badge I've always wanted to wear."