Couple graduate after beating crack addiction and raising three children
'Our son is a go-getter. By seeing his energy [and] his drive to just do it, that kind of pushes us'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Addicted to crack cocaine, 20-years ago Charles and Renate Cole were struggling to beat their habit and raise their children.
But after getting clean and returning to college, the couple both managed to graduate earlier this month.
The couple said they were inspired by seeing the eldest of their three children, Charles, achieve the same feat and they decided to return to education at Sacramento Theological Seminary.
After a great deal of soul-searching, the couple decided to study and both achieved a BA in Biblical Studies, and both intend to earn doctorates in the near future.
Their son Charles Cole III posted a photograph on Twitter of his happy parents as they attended their belated graduation. The picture quickly went viral, gaining over 2,000 retweets and 5,000 likes.
“It he can do it, we can do it too,” the elder Mr Cole told ABC News. “We embedded this in him."
"Our son is a go-getter. By seeing his energy [and] his drive to just do it, that kind of pushes us."
The couple say they have achieved their life-long dreams in returning to their studies, and now plan to provide help to homeless veterans.
"It was our purpose in life to be educated in this way," Renate said. "To just see the fruit [of your labor] that if you continue to work hard, if you continue to believe, if you continue to hold on, God will help you do whatever it is you're called to do."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments