A Life-Changing Decision

by: April

I can still remember the exact moment I decided to change my life.

On a crisp fall day in 2013, a few months after I became a single mom, I decided to take a shortcut through the University of Washington campus with my then 3-year-old daughter in the backseat. We marveled at the trees and buildings as we drove. Glancing back in the rearview mirror I told my daughter, “You can go to school here one day you know.” She kept looking out the window, too young to grasp what I was telling her.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I had an epiphany—the best way to ensure that my daughter went to college, was not to tell her, but to show her. Graduating from college was something I had always wanted to accomplish and driving through campus that day I knew what I had to do. That night, at 31-years-old, I enrolled at North Seattle College and I never looked back. I began shaping mine and my daughter’s future from that moment on—the power to raise the bar was in my hands.
One of the most difficult aspects of returning to school with a young child is paying for childcare. When I found out about Seattle Milk Fund, I was so grateful that such a resource existed. Without your support, I would never have been able to obtain my degree. My daughter received an incredible preschool education and I was able to attend class with the peace of mind in knowing that she was in good hands.

As I worked my way through school I met incredible, lifelong friends and mentors.
In 2018, I graduated from the University of Washington, the first in my family on either side. There were many days I rode the bus up that same road, on my way to class, where I made that life-changing decision, never forgetting how far I had come and the incredible people who had made it possible.

April recently began her career in Human Resources at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, a professional position that would not have been possible without obtaining her bachelor’s degree.

Thanks to you, Seattle Milk Fund’s program is stronger than ever. This fall, 51 students were accepted into our program–an increase of 70% from the year before.  If you are moved by April’s story, help keep the positive momentum going for students like April by making a gift this season.

Thank you for believing in our students as their success is your success as you have shown kindness time and again to our families.