Jackie

From Jackie

There have been moments in my life when I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it, moments when I wondered if I could keep up with school, if I’d have a place to sleep, or even enough food to eat. Those were the times when the Angels from Angels in the Alley showed up for me. And because of people like you, who give from your hearts, I am still here today, walking toward my dreams.

 

My journey with Angels in the Alley began in 2015 when I was at Koinonia Homes for teens first scholarship was when I graduated from the program. Then again in 2021, when I was given the chance to represent California in an international pageant on the East Coast. My platform was something close to my heart: Foster youth and at-risk children. But the opportunity came with a cost I could not afford. Thanks to your generosity, Angels in the Alley provided a scholarship that made it possible for me to compete. I went, I shared my story, and to my surprise I won the international title. That victory was more than a crown. It was proof that with support, anything is possible.

 

But my story didn’t end there. As a full-time college student in Hawaii, the biggest challenge I face is the cost of living. Minimum wage here does not cover tuition, rent, and food. There were times when I thought about dropping out because I had to choose between going to class or putting food on the table. But each time I reached that point, Angels in the Alley and your support were there.

 

Your donations didn’t just cover my tuition. It helped me buy a laptop when mine broke. They gave me stability when I had no idea how I would keep going. They gave me dignity when I was struggling to afford housing. They gave me hope when I felt like giving up. Because of you, I could focus on my education instead of survival.

 

Even when I had to complete my internship which required me to travel inter-island at a cost of $2,300 almost impossible for a college student without family support, the Angels stepped in once again. That was something my university didn’t cover, and without your help, I would have missed an important step toward my degree. Instead, I was able to grow, learn, and continue moving forward.

 

Now, I am on track to graduate in 2026 with my bachelor’s degree, something I once thought might never happen. And it’s all because of you!

 

To the donors of Angels in the Alley: Thank you. Thank you for feeding me when I was hungry, for keeping a roof over my head, for paying the tuition bills that kept me enrolled. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t always believe in myself.

 

Because of you, I can see a future. And I promise that I will pay it forward. Once I graduate and am settled in my career, I plan to support this foundation financially so that another young adult like me has the same chance. I also want to use my education and life experience to mentor foster youth and at-risk children, showing them that they are not alone, and that their dreams are worth fighting for.

 

Life brings many unforeseen challenges, but with love, support, and the generosity of people like you, I know that anything is possible. I am living proof of what your giving makes possible.

 

From the bottom of my heart thank you.

 

With much Aloha from yours truly,

 

Jacqueline A.