Latonya Young is many things. Thing number one is a mother. Thing number two is a student. Things number three and four are her jobs, being an Uber driver and hair stylist. Things two to four all take a back seat to thing number one, and when her kids need money for their education and growth, it can demand a measure of sacrifice from the other… things.
This was the case with Latonya’s studies, when she found herself owing her University $700, she was unable to attend classes, so she could use her income toward her kids.
It’s no secret that having children demands a lot of self sacrifice, and even more money. When Latonya couldn’t pay off the balance remaining on her college tuition, she had a very difficult decision to make. She needed to chose between her children’s current needs, and being able to pay for something that would help them in the long run. In the end, she was forced to look after them, resolved to shelving her education for the time being.
This is until, one fateful day when she picked up a passenger with a generous spirit.
When 43-year-old Latonya picked up passenger Kevin Esch, she never expected that it would be a lift that would change her life.
During the ride, she talked about her financial struggles, her job, and the outstanding college balance for her associates degree. But Kevin was not just one to shrug it off and leave the cab with a mere 5 star rating, he had to do something more.
When Latonya got a call from her college saying that her studies could resume, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Imagine finding out that you could still feed your kids as well as continue your higher education! Latonya had to drop out of school at the age of sixteen after she fell pregnant with her first child. This woman’s incredible determination and hard work was able to resume.
Some time later, Latonya had graduated from Georgia State University!
In the 2019 class of Criminal Justice, she has found her calling, and grabbed life by the ribbons! And it seems as if it has also birthed a beautiful relationship between Latonya and Kevin. It seems like their meeting was not just fortunate for Latonya, but Kevin even gained a friend from the whole experience.
Kevin has stated on his own Facebook post that he himself feels honored to have been able to be a part of this experience.
“I’ve learned that Latonya is a fighter. She’s also someone who kept her word to me. She promised me she would invite me to graduation, and she did. It was an experience of a lifetime to know that I played even a small part in her walking across that stage! Now it’s time for that Bachelor’s degree!!”
Now if that’s not heartwarming I don’t know what is! In another sentiment in Kevin’s post, he said that he hoped that he might inspire others to do good things for strangers, and that we need to be helping each other whenever we can. That’s a sterling attitude Kevin!
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