In the 2022-2023 school year, scholars in the mentorship program, through fundraising efforts and newly acquired skills, began supporting a single mother of three who is being treated for colon cancer. Due to her illness and treatments which make her very sick, she has been unable to work consistently. Struggling to put food on the table each day became an almost untenable feat, the family’s home was in disrepair, and the mother was heartbroken that her children would likely wake up another year on Christmas with no presents. In early December, the patient’s social worker submitted an emergency referral to Legacy of Hope regarding the patient’s current living situation.

The scholars at each school quickly began utilizing their new skills to create plans, work with their administrators, and then execute their plans to provide relief for this local cancer patient and her family. To the credit of these young leaders, the family is now receiving healthy groceries delivered to their home, the mother and children received a car full of wrapped Christmas presents, and additional plans are being made to either make repairs to the patient’s home or relocate the family to a warmer and healthier location.

This student-led project is multifaceted and includes many interrelated aspects which must be managed concurrently such as creating budgets, business development, contract negotiations, business writing, good internal and external communications, and team management. The progress being made by this impressive group of students cannot be overstated, as they are beginning to master skills not often seen before the collegiate level and strengthening their community.