Lindsey Crawford

Associate in Arts

Lindsey Crawford was born in Prosser, Wash. Struggling with drug addiction, Crawford dropped out of high school during her senior year and spent more than a decade battling her addiction.

Ready for a new start, she turned to Yakima Valley College for help. She began taking GED classes in 2017 before transitioning to college-level courses in January 2018.

“YVC has helped me to realize that anything really is possible, that I can do whatever I set my mind to if I am willing to put in the work to get it done,” stated Crawford. “The biggest barrier I had to overcome was my self-doubt. After having spent so many years as a failing drug addict it was hard to believe I could be successful at anything. Luckily, I had some great instructors who believed in me even when I was full of doubt.”

She graduates this June with her associate in arts degree. In the fall she plans to continue classes to earn a Substance Use Disorder certificate.

“This journey I have worked through to get my GED, now my AA and next my SUD Certificate, has not been easy, and there were many times I wanted to throw in the towel and give up,” Crawford said. “But instead, I just had to look at my son to remind me that no matter how hard of a time I was having, it would all be worth it in the end.

“To be able to provide him with the life he deserves and to be able to set the example for him that anything is possible if you don’t give up, he has definitely been my biggest motivation and I am grateful beyond words for that.”