Scholarship Fund / The impact on Abby's Life
Meet Abby. Abby is a student with intellectual disabilities who recently graduated from Shepherds College. She’s quirky, chatty, fun, and loves to laugh.
Abby first heard of Shepherds College from her mom. She wasn’t scared of the thought of attending college. Instead, she was filled with excitement at the idea of a school that offered Culinary Arts and a school that was created specifically to meet the educational needs of students just like her. In Abby’s own words, “I’m a disability kid, and Shepherds College is my type of college!”
Knowing Abby’s love of cooking, Abby’s mom did everything she could to make college happen for her daughter, but money continued to be a concern. They saved and even sold cookies as a fundraiser, but they still came up short on tuition.
“After all that worrying, scholarships ended up helping me come to Shepherds College! My mom was very surprised and relieved to know we had help for me to go to school and learn Culinary.” Abby shrugged and smiled. “I knew I was supposed to be here. I just go with the flow.”
Abby was part of the Shepherds College family for three years. Upon graduation, she received her Certificate of Completion in Culinary Arts. Abby said the following about her time at Shepherds College: “My time at Shepherds College has changed me a lot. I’m a different Abby than when I got here. I look different too; I’m more confident. I’m responsible. I do my own chores, cook my own dinners, and clean up by myself. My culinary skills are strong now, and they will help me succeed. I’m prepared to be independent. My faith is also stronger. I didn’t know much about God when I came here, but now I’m in the middle of understanding the Word of God. I just plan to keep moving forward in my life trusting God.”
Abby’s growth during her three years at Shepherds College amazed her family. Her mother was impressed with the training Abby received at Shepherds College to manage her own medications. Abby now takes the responsibility of calling the pharmacy when she needs prescription refills and, when there are no refills at the pharmacy, she takes the initiative to call her doctor’s office to ask for a refill order.
Another example of Abby’s growth was in job readiness. Abby had worked at McDonald's prior to graduating from Shepherds College. Her mother was hesitant to let her go back to employment there because the only task they would allow her to do was washing dishes. However, after graduation from Shepherds College, Abby returned to employment at McDonald's with additional skills that allowed her to advance in her job. She now works the grill, serves people, and takes orders!
Abby’s family is pleased and thankful for how well Abby is doing because of her training at Shepherds College. Because of donors like you, Abby and her family are filled with hope. Her education and successful future wouldn’t have been possible without gifts to our Annual Scholarship Fund. A bright and meaningful future for students like Abby can be a real possibility.