Jo's Journey to HOPE
Watch the video or read Jo’s story below and hear about her Journey to HOPE!
“When I first started out, I was an ambitious student who had huge dreams and goals but little resources. I had numerous difficulties as a teenager, such as homelessness and family member loss, but I made an effort to keep going. When I wanted to give up, Outreach and the people around me encouraged me to persevere so that I could get to where I am today. As a result, I was able to accomplish a lot more than I ever imagined.
I began as a young woman with goals that some might have considered improbable, but now I live in Italy and attend one of the top universities in the world. No matter how large my dreams are, I will continue achieving them and never giving up when it gets hard. Since being in Italy, I have met people that I would consider to be lifelong friends, and I have become happier than ever before.
Although I went through those struggles in the past and they might still hurt, I’m able to remember how I got through them and can continue to get through anything that comes my way. I hope to be able to encourage those who are experiencing similar struggles or even worse so they can take control of their lives and bring about the change they desire.
I never imagined that I would be saying this in the heart of Italy at my dream school with amazing friends, but I am due to my will to not let those struggles define me and people like LaVon who never stepped back when you needed help. In closing, I just want to express my gratitude to Outreach for supporting me so greatly during all those trying moments and for helping me remember that if I work hard enough, my dreams are attainable.” – Jo, 2022 Graduate
Our staff came alongside Jo during her Journey to HOPE, and today you can be part of so many other youth and young adults’ journeys to HOPE. Your gift will put us one step closer to hitting our goal of raising $325,000 during this year-end campaign. Thanks to our generous community, we have a $100,000 meaning any gift you give up to $100,00, will have double the impact!