Season for Caring success story: After 7 years, Austin mom Shilda Fresch earns her degree

Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
·3 min read

Shilda Fresch crossed the finish line with a big beaming smile.

For her, the finish line wasn't a race course — it was the stage at H-E-B Center in Cedar Park for Austin Community College's graduation ceremony.

In cap and gown, Fresch received her associate degree in general studies after seven years of taking one or two classes at a time.

Fresch knew when she started at ACC that it would take time. She remembers thinking, "I'll never get there," she said. "Before I knew it, I was done with school."

Fresch, 36, and her family were featured in the 2021 Statesman Season for Caring program. Season for Caring works with local nonprofit organizations to tell the stories of families in our community who are in need.

Since 1999, it has raised $17 million for local nonprofit organizations, which help the featured families first and then help hundreds of other families with such basic needs as rent, groceries, medical care and utilities. The 2021 program raised $1.75 million, the most ever in a single year.

Fresch was nominated by Dress for Success Austin, which helps people improve job skills through mentorship.

Fresch, who grew up in foster care, and her husband, Venard, have three biological children and have fostered to adopt three siblings. They are fostering to adopt those siblings' twin brothers, who were born in October.

Read the Fresches' story: Foster mom who grew up in system has big dreams

When Season for Caring selected the Fresches, Shilda Fresch was trying to attend school, take care of the twins who were in a neonatal intensive care unit, and the kids at home, while working as a special education aide in an elementary school.

Shilda Fresch tries to keep her balloons from blowing away while son Jackson Fresch plays with them before her graduation ceremony from Austin Community College on May 13 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
Shilda Fresch tries to keep her balloons from blowing away while son Jackson Fresch plays with them before her graduation ceremony from Austin Community College on May 13 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

"Season for Caring changed my life," she said. "I'm so grateful and thankful for everyone who helped my family. They gave me the courage and confidence to become the best me."

Community impact: 'Such a blessing': Statesman Season for Caring raises $1.75 million, the most ever

Season for Caring funds have helped the family this year with their basic needs, including rent. It allowed Fresch to take a break from working to concentrate on finishing school and to focus on the needs of her family. One-year-old John was adopted in April, and the twins are expected to be adopted in August.

Shilda Fresch, in her graduation gown, poses with her mother, husband and their children before her Austin Community College commencement on May 13. Fresch and her husband, Venard, have eight children. From left, Jackson Fresch, Amaziah Stephens, Jakarius Fresch, Johnny Stephens, Zareon Conley and Damarion Fresch. Shilda and Venard are in the process of adopting the youngest twins.

"It took my mind off of the financial struggle," Fresch said. "I was able to focus more on me and the children. ... I had so many responsibilities, I put myself to the side."

Last Friday night, her children and husband all wore white shirts that said, "My Mommy Did It for Me."

For Fresch, it was very meaningful to have all her children watching her graduate. "It was a very special night," she said.

Before her graduation ceremony last week, Shilda Fresch holds a child she is in the process of adopting. The boy's shirt reads, "My Mommy Did It for Me."
Before her graduation ceremony last week, Shilda Fresch holds a child she is in the process of adopting. The boy's shirt reads, "My Mommy Did It for Me."

ACC helps Season for Caring: Austin Community College helping mom get CNA certification

The family sat in one of the suite areas of the H-E-B Center, and cheered for their matriarch. Venard Fresch and oldest son Jakarius, 16, cheered the loudest.

"Now she can move up to the next level," Jakarius said. "Now she can get whatever job she wants."

Shilda Fresch receives her associate degree at Austin Community College's graduation ceremony on May 13.
Shilda Fresch receives her associate degree at Austin Community College's graduation ceremony on May 13.

Shilda Fresch is planning to get a bachelor's degree in film. Her dream is to make children's television. She has two children's books she has written and is publishing. The first one is about being adopted, "Move Out the Way, It's Adoption Day," and the second one is about her story of being in foster care, "Better Together."

About Season for Caring: How to help families through the Statesman Season for Caring Program

"She's an amazing person," Venard Fresch said of his wife. "This is just the start of her journey. She's going to do amazing things."

Season for Caring

The 24th Season for Caring will launch Nov. 27. To become a Season for Caring partner nonprofit or for more information on the campaign, email community@statesman.com or call 512-445-3590.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Statesman Season for Caring: Mom earns college degree after 7 years