Rating the Suburbs: Jissette Valentin

I started here three weeks ago. 

I had a baby. Isabella is 6 months old. I didn’t like working overnight at McDonald’s, and I want to spend more time with her. So I looked for a job where the hours were better. I get to work mornings now, and I’m off by 6 p.m.

I love her to death, and she’s a good baby. It’s different. Before, I used to go out and do my own thing. Now I have to worry about her and make sure I got a baby sitter and make sure the baby sitter is not crazy. But I love being a mom.

Getting a job, it’s not easy. I graduated high school with a 4.1 in honors, and I was in the National Honor Society. I grew up working with the Boys & Girls Club. They helped me a lot. They get you somewhere. They helped with school, especially with my studying.

I didn’t go to college. I moved to New York. I have a lot of family out there. I just started working because the rent out there is so expensive. I didn’t have time to go to school. I moved back to Lorain because my mom got sick, so I came back to help her.

My mom inspires me the most. She’s a strong and independent person. That’s where I learned most of it from. She always has my back and supports me. She’s always in church. She’s not judgmental. I talk to her about everything. She’s like my best friend.