The inspiration for Faith for the Future began with my sister. She knew she wanted to become a teacher when she was barely old enough to be in school herself. When I was barely out of diapers, she already had me sitting in her “classroom”—a shed our father built and turned into a little schoolhouse just for her.

Our father saw her dream, took it seriously, and gave her a place to begin living it. It makes me wonder how much the encouragement and support of one loving parent can shape a child’s future.

My sister held on to that dream even when she struggled financially to make it come true. She became a teacher and has dedicated her life to educating the next generation. She also mentors future teachers who will continue that work for generations to come. Her determination, compassion, and commitment to education have made her an inspiration to me and to many others.

Becoming a mother through adoption has also shaped my understanding of how deeply a young person’s future can be affected by the support, stability, and opportunities they receive. My children and I have been through difficult years together. During those times, we received support that was not always financial, but it was exactly the kind of help we needed. That experience taught me personally how powerful it can be when someone recognizes a need, steps in, and reminds you that you do not have to face everything alone.

My children are also part of the inspiration behind Faith for the Future. Their experiences—and the dreams of young people who hope to pursue ambitious goals such as medical school—have shown me that determination alone is not always enough. Sometimes a young person is ready to move forward but faces one financial or practical barrier standing between them and an opportunity.

Faith for the Future is still at the beginning of its journey. It was created from a deeply personal dream and the belief that a young person’s circumstances should never determine how far they are allowed to dream—or what they can achieve.

As the program grows, my hope is to help young people overcome the barriers standing between them and their goals. Assistance could include scholarships, dependable transportation, housing, food, books, vocational tools, training expenses, or other essential support needed to pursue an education, apprenticeship, or career opportunity.

For one young person, that might mean help obtaining transportation to begin a welding apprenticeship. For another, it could mean assistance with dormitory expenses, food, college tuition, or the long journey toward medical school. Every person’s needs will be different, but the purpose will remain the same: to meet young people where they are and help them take their next step forward.

This vision begins with the people closest to me, but my hope is that it will grow into something much bigger—helping many young people overcome obstacles, pursue their dreams, and create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Sometimes all a dream needs is for someone to see it, believe in it, and help build the little schoolhouse where it can begin.