During the last two years of her high school career, Jessica’s mother and grandmother both died from drug overdoses, her father was incarcerated and her great-grandmother died of natural causes. Jessica’s brother and sister-in-law welcomed her into their home. While grateful for the love and support of her brother and his wife, she struggled with depression and anxiety. She confided in a trusted teacher who connected Jessica to the Sandalwood Full Service Schools collaborative where she met Maria, a counselor who stuck with her from 10th through 12th grade. Maria was the person–outside of family–who listened without judgment, let her vent and taught her ways to control her emotions. Today, Jessica is a student at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing who plans to graduate in December 2015. Watch her story below.