Being a mother of two special needs children and a full-time student isn’t just challenging—it’s a constant balancing act. With a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 6-year-old, my days are filled with speech therapy appointments, occupational therapy, IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings, and trying to make sure everything runs smoothly at home. On top of that, I’m working full-time, volunteering at my son’s school, and pursuing my degree. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Every day I am reminded that I am not just doing this for myself—I’m doing this for my children and for the future we’re building together. I am a first-generation college student, and breaking that generational stronghold is a driving force behind everything I do. My parents never had the opportunity to pursue higher education, and I know that my children will be watching every step I take. I want to show them that no dream is out of reach, no matter where you start or what challenges you face. By getting this degree, I am giving them the gift of possibility—a better chance at creating their own futures. I use project management tools like Asana to manage my schedule, keeping track of everything from therapy sessions to school deadlines to family goals. Running my family like a project manager has become second nature to me, and these organizational skills transfer directly into my school life. I approach each assignment with the same focus and determination I give to managing my children’s needs. There is no room for error, and every minute counts. Parenthood, especially raising children with special needs, has made me incredibly resourceful. It has taught me how to prioritize, how to advocate for my children during IEP meetings, and how to stay committed to my own goals while meeting my family’s needs. Volunteering at my son’s school has also allowed me to be more present in his education and stay connected to his journey, which motivates me to push forward in my own. It’s not just about juggling schedules—it’s about creating a life that shows my children the value of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of pursuing your dreams, no matter the obstacles. Every class I attend, every paper I write, and every deadline I meet is not just a step toward my own future—it’s a way of showing my kids what it looks like to rise above challenges. I want them to see that it’s possible to balance life’s hardest moments with your greatest aspirations. Being a parent has only strengthened my resolve to succeed, and I know that the lessons I’m learning now will be the ones I pass on to my children as they grow.

I was surrounded by strangers and unfamiliar streets, I felt completely unseen. No church family, no familiar faces, no one who even knew my name. While the world sparkled with lights, laughter, and togetherness, I sat in silence—watching the season unfold from the outside in. It was as if joy had skipped our doorstep, and in its place was a suffocating loneliness that whispered, you don’t belong. No one sees you. No one knows you’re even here. In that stillness, something stirred inside me. There were days I questioned if my gifts were enough—especially as a first-generation college student, a mother of four, and a woman starting over in a new state. I come from a line of hardworking women, but no one before me had the opportunity to pursue higher education. When I enrolled in college, I wasn’t just filling out an application—I was breaking a generational barrier that had stood for decades. I’m living proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your family’s story. A few months ago, the weight of that story felt especially heavy. We had just moved, hadn’t found a new church, and the holidays—usually a time of connection—felt isolating. But in that quiet loneliness, I heard a calling: Use what you have. Be who you are. Serve anyway. I’ve always been a little different—in the best way. While others unwind with TV, I find joy in organizing our family’s goals with software like Asana, designing graphics, and creating beauty through structure. I don’t see those skills as hobbies; they are tools God placed in my hands to reach others. So I used them. I created a 2025 devotional filled with vibrant floral designs, empowering scriptures, and daily declarations of strength. Then I wrote personal letters to over 20 women, strangers that I’ve never met, and printed them on custom floral stationery. I sealed the letters and devotionals together in soft pink satin envelopes with gold metallic return labels. These weren’t just letters. They were reminders: You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone. I don’t know how those women responded. I may never hear from them, but I know the power of small things done with great love. I’ve felt invisible before, and I never want another woman to feel that way if I can help it. Being the first in my family to go to college is more than a milestone. It’s a declaration. I’m proving to my children—and to the generations behind me—that we are no longer bound by what we didn’t have. We are building something new. I’m not just getting a degree; I’m building a legacy of boldness, faith, and service. My uniqueness—my creativity, my tech skills, my love for meaningful detail—isn’t just about personal success. It’s how I serve. It’s how I uplift others, especially those who are silently struggling. Whether I’m sending a letter, encouraging another mom, or showing my kids what perseverance looks like, I live with the belief that someone is always watching—and being shaped by what they see. Gladys Ruth’s legacy reminds me that it’s not enough to be different—you must also do something with that difference. I may be the first in my family to walk this path, but I won’t be the last. I’m walking it unapologetically, and I’m bringing others with me. That’s how generational change begins. That is my legacy in motion.

My name is Jaleesa, and I’m a mother of four, a first-generation college student, and someone who has experienced both the deepest struggles and the life-changing power of God’s love. I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Bible – Christian Ministries at Liberty University, and my ultimate goal is to use my life and career to help others experience healing, restoration, and hope. Growing up, my life was marked by trauma, fear, and instability. I spent many nights crying myself to sleep—sometimes from physical abuse, sometimes from sheer terror, and often out of fear of going to hell. I grew up in a strict holiness church where I was taught to fear God, but I didn’t know His love. I learned to confess every sin before bed because I believed if I didn’t, I might not wake up in the morning. That kind of fear was paralyzing and confusing for a child. It wasn’t until adulthood—and especially motherhood—that my understanding of God began to change. Becoming a mom to four beautiful children cracked something open in me. I realized that if I, broken and human, could love my kids unconditionally, how much more could a perfect God love me? That realization deepened even more when I joined a discipleship training program and was introduced to the true gospel of grace. For the first time, I met Jesus not just as judge, but as Savior, Healer, and Friend. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to live a life of purpose and faith. I want to be a vessel that helps others come out of fear-based religion, emotional bondage, and generational cycles of dysfunction. I want to create spaces—whether that’s in churches, online ministry, or community outreach—where people feel safe to be real, ask questions, heal, and grow. My passion is helping people see that their past does not disqualify them from God’s plans. If anything, our scars become the very platform through which we minister to others. I believe that my life is a testimony to God's redemptive power, and I carry that with humility and boldness. Every pain I’ve overcome has become a place of authority for me to guide someone else through. Academically, I’m committed to excellence and lifelong learning. I’m pursuing my undergraduate degree with the intention of continuing on to graduate school. My dream is to develop Christ-centered programs and ministries that focus on healing trauma, mentoring women, and equipping families. I want to build something that lasts—something that my children and their children will be proud of. Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous blessing. As a low-income, minority student and mother, every bit of support helps me focus on my education without being overwhelmed by financial strain. But more than that, receiving this scholarship would be a symbol of what’s possible for someone like me—someone who wasn’t supposed to “make it,” but by God’s grace, is rising above the odds. I don’t take opportunities like this lightly. I plan to steward them well, give back generously, and continue breaking cycles—not just in my family, but in the lives of those God allows me to serve. I want to be living proof that faith, education, and love can transform a life—and through that life, transform the world.

Growing up, I would often cry myself to sleep for one of three reasons: the sting of physical abuse, the paralyzing grip of fear, or the haunting terror of hell I was sure I’d end up in. Raised in a strict holiness church, I was taught more about God’s wrath than His love. I spent nights as a child confessing every sin I could think of, desperate to earn a place in heaven. I knew religion, but I didn’t know Jesus. Everything changed the day I entered a discipleship training program as an adult. That’s when I finally encountered the love of Jesus for myself—not the version I feared as a child, but the One who loves, heals, restores, and walks with the broken. And that transformation has shaped everything in my life. Today, I’m a mother of four, a first-generation college student, and a ministry major at Liberty University. I’ve been through valleys of pain, fear, and trauma, but I’ve also seen the hand of God lead me out of every one of them. It’s from that place of healing that I now live with purpose. I want to be a woman who breaks generational curses—not just in my family, but in every life God allows me to touch. Chidubè’s legacy resonates deeply with me. His passion for knowledge, growth, and spiritual development mirrors what I am working toward every day. I didn’t grow up with college as a realistic dream. I come from a family where no one has graduated with a degree, and poverty was part of our reality. But I am determined to change that story. I want my children to see that we don’t have to be limited by what we came from—we can rise because of who God is and what He’s placed inside of us. Through my education in ministry, I hope to serve communities like the one I grew up in—places full of people who believe in God but don’t yet know His heart. I want to be a voice for the hurting, a light to the lost, and a mentor for those who are walking roads I’ve already survived. Whether that’s through church leadership, community outreach, or discipleship programs, my goal is to pour into others the way God has poured into me. This scholarship would not only help ease the financial burden of pursuing my degree, it would also be a powerful reminder that someone believes in my potential and purpose. I carry the weight of being a mom, a student, and a leader-in-training, and support like this doesn’t just help me—it blesses my entire household. It enables me to keep going, to stay focused, and to sow into the next generation from a full place. My dream is to earn my undergraduate degree, pursue graduate studies, and eventually build ministries that equip people to grow in both spiritual and practical ways. I want to see families restored, cycles of fear broken, and communities transformed by the truth of God's love and power. Chidubè believed in impact—and so do I. I am committed to lifelong learning, spiritual depth, and being a vessel of hope to others. With this scholarship, I will continue building a legacy not just for my children, but for every person God leads me to serve. Together, we can make a lasting difference that honors Chidubè’s life and expands the Kingdom of God in the process.