Drustella Nuttall’s life had been a fierce struggle against learningproblems, racism, poverty, homelessness and drugs. Then, seven yearsago, Drustella entered the Second Start Adult Literacy Program at theOakland, California Public Library. Recently this 33-year-old wife andmother of four said, "I always knew God had a better plan for me."

Drustella said. "I’d been homeless three times. My second daughter’sfather beat me. I left an abusive relationship for an addictive one,"she continues, referring to her subsequent involvement with crackcocaine. "As soon as I’d pull myself together, I’d meet a man and he’ddrag me down." Drustella’s arrest for possession of crack was herwake-up call. Garland, who is now her husband, sold his car to get herout of jail. "I was humiliated," Drustella says. "I decided to gethonest with Garland and with myself." The courts allowed her to enteran 18-month drug diversion program.

A better life includedimproving her literacy skills. Something happened to Drustella on herfirst day at Second Start. "When I walked into the program, what reallygot me was seeing the older women there," she recalls. "If these womencan do it, I thought, I can do it." Drustella’s impressive gains provedwhat a responsive literacy program and a lot of hard work could do. NowDrustella joins her husband in helping the children with theirschoolwork. She volunteers at her son’s kindergarten. She has advocatedeffectively for her younger daughter at school. "I guess my going forgreater education made me aware of her needs," Drustella said.

Drustellahas received promotions at work. "To be a dietary aide, you have towrite and spell," she explains. When she took a written test for thejob, she heard Mary’s encouragement in her head telling her she coulddo it. She passed. Now her goal is to get her GED. "My husband is soproud at how hard I’m working for this. I want to die with a whole lotof knowledge. Ain’t no stopping me now!"