Layla’s Story

Dear Friends of Berea,

My name is Layla and as an alumna of Berea, I wanted to personally thank you for your continuous support of this incredible institution. I can say, without a doubt, Berea positively impacted my journey.

My mother worked in a hospice facility and throughout childhood was someone I looked up to as a reflection of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. She wanted bigger things for all of her kids but I knew college, a higher education, would require me to do some heavy lifting–especially financially. Figuring out the ‘how’ to make college happen was a challenge, but then I found Berea. With the promise of tuition-free education, I knew I had to learn more. On my tour I heard the motto “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth” and interacted with students like me, kids with financial constraints trying to figure out ‘how’ to make their way to bigger and better things. I knew, right then, Berea was a place where I would fit in and thrive.

With the requirements to balance rigorous academics and labor and without initially having a support structure or friends with me, Berea was challenging. But I had my drive, determination, and the financial relief that the tuition-free promise provides.

As I grew as a student and found my place at Berea, I knew I would still have to figure out my future after college, including finding my first job. I, like many students, knew a good internship was the way to a great job and ultimately an amazing career. I also knew good internships came at a price–relocation, housing, and general living expenses were just a few. Not to mention, many internships at good companies were often unpaid or minimum wage. Just like my pathway to college, it was not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘how’. This is where The Way Out Fund, and donors like you, come in.

Because of the support I was provided, I was able to pursue opportunities at companies that were previously not available to me due to financial barriers. During my internship, I was able to thrive and focus on learning rather than worrying about making ends meet. Not only did I learn a great deal about business and healthcare, but I also learned so much about myself, my sense of purpose, and my motivators. I grew in my confidence and my tactical skill sets, which made me a more enticing candidate as I approached my full-time job search. I say all of this because the monetary donation made by donors turns into so much more than paying a bill–it turns into a life-changing opportunity.

I end this letter by repeating Berea’s motto “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth”. Thank you for living this motto through your generous contributions that open doors that otherwise would have remained closed to people like me.