Kelsen’s Story: “Anything is possible with perseverance.”
Kelsen received a Live Your Dream Award in 2021. She is currently pursuing a degree in social work so she can help others who have experienced trauma and show her kids the value of hard work. Her story is a moving example of how, by investing in just one woman’s dream, we can create ripples of change through families and communities.
“The Live Your Dream Award was really an extra push for me toward furthering my education. Not only did it help me financially, but it gave me confidence knowing that there was support out there for people like me.”
I am a survivor of domestic violence. In 2018, my two young children and I left our home in California and moved across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, where I'm originally from, with three suitcases, two car seats, and very little money to my name. I knew that even though I would have to start over in every way, it would be worth it in the end to watch my children grow up in a positive and healthy environment.
Once my family was settled in our new home, I had a deep, nagging desire to go back to school for nearly a decade before I finally returned. This desire grew stronger over the years as I watched my children grow - I knew I wanted to be a great role model for them and show them that even with tough obstacles in life, anything is possible with perseverance.
I wanted to study social work because I knew that my innate empathy and experience with trauma would allow me to make a difference, whether that be in one person's life at a time or in the lives of many. My deep interest in psychology and sociology would be beneficial and assist me in pushing for an even higher education - a master's degree in social work.
But, finances were a challenge. While scouring the internet for scholarships and grants to be able to attend college as an adult, I found the Live Your Dream Awards opportunity. I was hesitant to share my story at first, but I'm so happy that I did.
I can't even begin to describe the joy I felt when I learned I had received a Live Your Dream Award. It really seemed too good to be true! I cried happy tears and felt a sort of relief knowing that everything dark and dismal that I had gone through in the past was over, and it was time for positive things to start happening.
The Live Your Dream Award was really an extra push for me toward furthering my education. Not only did it help me financially, but it gave me confidence knowing that there was support out there for people like me.
I'm currently attending university for my first semester as a social work student. I am already so excited to dive into all that it entails. My plan is to continue to get good grades so I can be on the three-year fast track to obtain my MSW asap!
I don't think I could truly, verbally express the amount of gratitude I feel for the donors who helped make this award possible, but with that being said- thank you so, so much for the doors you've opened for me! I will forever be grateful.
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