Reclaiming My Life, My Purpose, and My Future
by Annalyse Crane, Last Mile Alumna
My journey hasn’t been an easy one. I became a mother at a very young age—14, 16, and 18—while navigating life without a strong family support system. I grew up in and out of the foster system, surrounded by instability and addiction, and for a long time, I just wanted a way out.
My children became that way out for me. They were my reason to push forward, to build something better, and to break the cycle. They gave me the strength to run toward a different future and never look back.
Over the years, life continued to bring challenges. I went through a divorce, worked multiple jobs, and carried the constant stress of trying to provide a better life for my children. I was exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally, but I never stopped wanting more for my life and for theirs. I just needed an opportunity to change my situation.
As my children grew and began building lives of their own, I experienced more loss. Within the past few years, I lost both of my brothers and my mom. Around the same time, my health declined rapidly after a serious accident. I began experiencing tonic-clonic seizures, including episodes where I flatlined in my sleep. I was in and out of medical emergencies, living alone, unable to drive, and struggling to understand what was happening to me. Those months felt like a blur. I was surviving without fully realizing how serious everything had become.
I lost stability quickly – jobs, transportation, and the ability to function the way I used to. With no assistance and no clear direction, I reached a point where I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life.
But in that moment, I realized it was finally time to invest in myself. To focus on my education, my growth, and rebuilding my future.
That’s where Last Mile changed everything for me.
The support I received wasn’t just financial. It was life-changing. It gave me a way forward when I truly had none. It allowed me to continue my education when everything around me felt like it was falling apart. It gave me stability, hope, and the chance to build something lasting for myself.
Because of that support, I’ve been able to take major steps toward my future. I’ve been accepted into programs like the Google Career Certificate cohort and the Together We Hack program, and I’m actively working on building certifications and skills that will secure a career path for me. These opportunities are helping me grow both internally and externally, mentally, professionally, and emotionally.
What motivates me every day is knowing how rare it is to make it out of situations like mine. Many people facing these kinds of challenges don’t get the opportunity to rebuild or move forward. I want to be part of that small percentage that not only makes it, but turns around and helps others do the same.
My goal is to use the connections, knowledge, and opportunities I’ve gained to advocate for and support others who don’t yet have a voice or a path forward.
Last Mile didn’t just help me pay bills. They helped me reclaim my life, my purpose, and my future.
Through MGCCC and the Last Mile award, I now have something I’ve always fought for: hope, direction, stability, and the ability to build a career that will change the trajectory of my life and my family’s.
I am incredibly grateful for everything Last Mile has done for me and for believing in my potential when I needed it most.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Annalyse is a student in Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s AI and Data Technology program and a participant in the Google Career Certificate cohort and Together We Hack program. As she builds her tech career, she hopes to create pathways for others who haven’t yet found theirs.