Carlada Thomas

Sutter County Adult Education

Nominated in 2019

Carlada Thomas is a 39-year-old single mother of five. Carlada was a victim of physical and emotional abuse as a child. Her mother was a drug addict and her father was imprisoned twice for sex-related crimes. Carlada had a "victim" mentality and didn't begin her recovery process until she was in her thirties. She decided to not allow her past to define her future or affect the future hope of her children.

Carlada enrolled in Adult Education and began working on her high school diploma through the Sutter County Superintendent's Office of Education, through the Behavioral Health Education Department. Carlada struggled with her class work but persisted with determination to be a role model for her children and others who also struggled. She completed her high school credits in January 2019 and immediately began classes at the local community college. While still completing her high school work, Carlada worked a full-time position in retail to support her family.

During the last ten years, Carlada has been active in the community by assisting with a program called "Feed My Sheep" which provides meals to people in the Yuba-Sutter area. She also has worked at the Mobile Community Closet providing clothing, shoes, and school supplies to needy people. Carlada is also the co-founder of WOG Lifestyles whose main purpose is to provide encouragement, affirmation, and resource assistance to the needy.

Carlada looks forward to helping others with a career in social work. She plans to obtain her AA in social work at Yuba College and transfer to Sacramento State University to obtain her bachelor's degree. Eventually, she would like to open a non-profit center to assist individuals who are left to deal with the guilt and aftermath of having incarcerated parents. She would like to help others avoid repeating the mistakes of previous generations and achieve educational and career goals to better themselves, their children, and their community.

Carlada is inspirational in her determination to complete her high school education, begin her college education, and pursue a life of community service.