Karly Becomes Self-Sufficient

When Karly and her five-year-old son moved into Family Scholar House, she was juggling four jobs just to make ends meet. On weekends, her mother cared for her son so Karly could continue working. But Karly made a bold decision that would change her family’s future: she chose to go back to school and earn a degree.The path forward wasn’t easy. She faced the challenges of being a single mom, living with learning disabilities, and carrying the constant pressure of financially supporting herself and her child while taking classes. Yet, with determination and support, Karly embraced the opportunity to rewrite her story.

Her therapist told her about Family Scholar House, and she spent the next year working toward becoming a resident. But even during that year, she had access to financial courses, and was learning how to get back into school, sign up for programs, and apply for scholarships and financial aid that she needed. Then she moved in. “Within three months, my whole life just completely changed. It was so amazing. And it was scary at first — I felt like I was really jumping off a cliff here, and trusting the Family Scholar House. But it really worked out the best for me and my son.”

Karly proudly graduated from the University of Louisville with her bachelor’s degree in communications. Building on that momentum, she enrolled at Spalding University to pursue a graduate degree in learning and behavior disabilities in education. Today, Karly is an employment specialist at Edge Employment. Looking back over her time at Family Scholar House, Karly says, “If it weren’t for the Family Scholar House, I definitely wouldn’t have pursued my higher education or been successful in the long term. And I think my son’s success speaks a lot about our experience at the Family Scholar House.” (Elijah is currently pursuing his own degree in the field of aerospace engineering.)

That multi-generational impact is a hallmark of Family Scholar House. “Education has always been important to me,” says Karly today, “but to be able to show that and model that for my son as he’s growing, and being able to be present and push for his education goals as well, was very powerful and empowering to me. I always credit Family Scholar House for setting us on this path.”

Today, Karly is proudly self-sufficient and no longer requires financial assistance of any kind. And she continues to advocate for Family Scholar House as a path to that kind of independence. Karly is certainly living proof of that!