La’Diedra’s Story
La’Diedra High, Our ChanceTN Caregiver, and her family.
In a pilot as wide-reaching and diverse as Our ChanceTN, success does not look the same for every caregiver. For La'Diedra High, success meant learning how to stop surviving day to day and start building a future for herself and her children through resilience, mindset growth, and the steady determination to be better each day.
When La'Diedra first started, she remembers thinking, “There’s no way I can do this. No way I can attain this or become the person I want to be.” At the time, life often felt overwhelming. She described moments of laying down, grabbing a bag of chips, crying, and carrying the weight of depression and uncertainty on her shoulders.
Over time, things began to shift.
Through coaching, support, and putting in the work herself, La'Diedra says she learned how to slow down, plan ahead, and make decisions differently. She learned the importance of saving what you earn, avoiding impulsive spending, and taking time to research and think through financial choices.
“It’s made me not live day to day anymore,” says La’Diedra. “You have to plan for the future.”
That mindset change helped create real progress in her life. La'Diedra opened and maintained both a bank account and a savings account, purchased a car, and maintained steady employment. She also found herself growing professionally in ways she did not expect.
After spending time working in staffing positions, she worried there would not be room for growth. Instead of staying stuck, she began taking free Alison courses on the weekends to strengthen and refine her skills. Eventually, she applied for a position with HCA Hospitals and got the job.
The transition came with adjustments, including longer 10-hour shifts and balancing her children’s schedules, but it also brought greater financial stability and peace of mind.
“I’m not worrying about bills and being broke again in a week,” says La’Diedra. “I can pay my bills and still put thirty, forty dollars away.”
Much of La'Diedra’s motivation has been rooted in her children. She shared that while her kids are doing better too, much of the work she has done has focused on improving herself so she can better pour into them.
She also credits much of her growth to the support of her coach, Tabitha Anglemyer.
“She’s [Tabitha] cried with me. She’s been mad with me,” says La'Diedra. “Having a mentor, having a big sister who would go to bat for you… she was never talking down to me.”
Tabitha says one of the things that stood out most throughout their time working together was La'Diedra’s determination to continue moving forward, no matter the obstacles in front of her.
“La'Diedra is incredibly resourceful and consistently shows a strong determination to move forward in life, not only for herself but for her children as well,” says Tabitha. “Although she has faced obstacles along the way, she has continued to push through each challenge with positivity, resilience, and a genuine desire to create a better future.”
She also described La'Diedra as kind, receptive, and deeply committed to growth throughout the program.
“She is very kind, loving, and easy to work with,” says Tabitha. “La'Diedra is receptive to guidance and always open to learning and applying advice that supports her growth. Watching her commitment to personal progress and the goals she has set for herself has been inspiring, and it has been a privilege to be part of her journey.”
For La'Diedra, the program became more than resources or workshops. It became a source of encouragement and stability during difficult moments.
“I haven’t been depressed or down or ‘woe is me,’” says La’Diedra. “This is positive. Things are going to work.”
Today, she says she feels proud of how much she has changed. She no longer carries depression the same way she once did and approaches challenges with a different mindset. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue building stability for her family and work toward becoming a homeowner one day.
She also hopes others in similar situations will not be afraid to accept support.
“A lot of people are prideful and don’t like help,” says La’Diedra. “But let someone help you. Step out on faith. Single moms don’t get many moments where it feels like the world isn’t on your shoulders. It’s awesome to have something or someone that cares.”
Her advice to others is simple:
“It’s tough out there, but there’s help. You can make it. Just take it one bite at a time.”
Our ChanceTN is a part of a study funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services which is being conducted to determine how these pilot programs help people improve their economic well-being. During the study, all new eligible applicants will be randomly selected into one of two/three groups that receive a different mix of program services.
The Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative (TOPI) is brought forth by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and TANF Opportunity Act. This initiative will help individuals, families, and the state of Tennessee by creating a new vision for the Tennessee social safety net and is dedicated to helping low-income families grow beyond their vulnerabilities. TOPI empowers all Tennesseans by partnering with local organizations to reach deep into their communities and work shoulder to shoulder with individuals and families, growing their capacity to take on life’s challenges and reduce their dependence on the social safety net.