Sunday, April 30, 2017

Wallin Education Partners

Wallin Education Partners


So much more than a scholarship


Before I ask for your help, I ask you to read Cara's story. Her experience provides personal insight into how the generosity of donors and the support provided through our program helped her during the most difficult time of her young life. 

Cara grew up in North Minneapolis and lived with her mother who was a janitor at a nursing home.  From an early age, Cara knew that she wanted to go to college and chose Southwest High School because she knew that she would be more likely to get into a good college.

It took two bus transfers to get to school each day but she worked hard and took advantage of many opportunities offered at Southwest.  Everything changed for Cara when her mother passed away from cancer during her junior year.  Cara moved in with her father - an even longer bus ride - but she continued her studies and graduated from Southwest High School in 2014.   

Cara's dad was retired and not able to help with the cost of college, so she was thrilled when she received a scholarship from Wallin Education Partners.  The scholarship includes financial aid and a wide range of service including the support of a dedicated advisor, a relationship that turned out to be pivotal.  When in her sophomore year of college Cara's father died, her advisor, Peggy Pluimer, was the first person Cara called.  "Peggy would know what to do", she recalls.

With no siblings or parents, Cara thought she was alone.  Except that she wasn't.  Peggy stood by Cara at her father's funeral, and was there for her every step of the way.  Cara knew that the donor who  provides her scholarship was also in her corner.  When asked what Wallin Education Partners means to her, she said  "I always have someone to motivate me, to keep me going and someone that I can make proud."

And proud we are.  Cara has been accepted into the Public Policy and International Affairs program at the University of California, Berkley this summer, with plans to go to law school after graduation.

Cara's story is similar to hundreds of scholars in our program and demonstrates the impact that the generosity of our donors has on the lives of young people. Please consider a donation to help other students who like Cara have overcome remarkable challenges yet continue to persist and thrive.  Thank you. 

Stela Center
Director of Development
(952) 345-1916



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