Kadijah Finds Her Footing and Her Future at Family Scholar House
When Kadijah arrived in Kentucky from California, she was in the middle of a major life transition. A single mother of two, she was searching for stability — not just for herself, but for her children.
What she found at Family Scholar House was more than a program. It was a foundation that made growth, education, and possibility feel achievable. “I was looking for something that would help me stand on my own two feet,” Kadijah recalls. “I wanted something that could support me and my kids.”
That search led her to Family Scholar House, where she became a participant three years ago. From the beginning, the program provided what she needed most: the ability to focus. With housing stability, academic support and a community that understood the realities of being a student and a parent, Kadijah was able to invest fully in both her children and her future.
“There’s no way I would have been able to get my degree and be a full-time mom without Family Scholar House,” she says. “It made it possible for me to solely focus on being a mom and getting my education.”
Kadijah initially imagined a future in nursing, planning to use her cooking skills as a way to support herself through school. But as she continued her journey, her talents in the kitchen began to open unexpected doors. What started as cooking to make extra money evolved into a passion — and eventually a credential — when she earned her associate’s degree in culinary arts from JCTC.
With her degree in hand, Kadijah’s confidence and opportunities grew. She began catering events across the Louisville area, from birthday parties and baby showers to her first wedding this year. “I’ve been able to cater many events,” she shares. “I’ve connected with local bars and chefs, and I’ve made great connections with a lot of people here.”
Now, Kadijah is looking ahead once again. Her next goal is continuing her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management — possibly at the University of Louisville. Long-term, she dreams of opening her own restaurant and lounge: a welcoming space centered on comfort food, connection, and community.
“I want to create a space where people can come and eat food that makes them feel good,” she says. “Warm, comforting food—and a place where people feel good while they’re eating it.”
But for Kadijah, success isn’t measured only in degrees earned or businesses launched. One of the most meaningful outcomes of her journey has been the example she’s setting for her children. “Family Scholar House has shown my kids that I can do it,” she reflects. “That Mama did it. No matter what we’ve been through — the moves, the obstacles — you’ve got to push through.”
Kadijah’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families are given the stability, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive. Through Family Scholar House, she didn’t just earn a degree. She built momentum, confidence and a future her children can see and believe in.