Ashley

Ashley is a 34-year-old single mother to three children who are thirteen, five, and four years old. Living in Duluth, Georgia, Ashley was attending nursing school at Chamberlain University when she discovered that she was struggling to balance work, school, and raising her children. Reaching out to H.O.P.E. Inc. for help, Ashley was able to receive financial assistance and resources that helped her achieve her goals.

Ashley always had a dream to become a nurse, desiring to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “Because she was a nurse, I wanted to be a nurse,” Ashley says. “When she passed away 6 years ago, I wanted to be a nurse to make her proud.”

Having worked as a medical assistant for several years, Ashley wanted to take the next step to pursue her nursing degree. Enrolling at Chamberlain University in 2020, she started her path to make her dreams come true.

As Ashley pursued her degree, she quickly realized that juggling work, school, and parenting was a challenge. “Between expenses, studying, and trying to spend time with my kids, I was overwhelmed,” Ashley says. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it, and I did not see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

When Ashley learned about H.O.P.E. Inc. through a university email, she was drawn to the program’s financial assistance and resources. Reaching out to Kenita Smith, H.O.P.E. Inc.’s founder, she decided to apply.

Through her participation with H.O.P.E., Ashley received $400 a month of rent assistance. “H.O.P.E. Inc. took a weight off my shoulders,” Ashley says. “Just knowing I could rely on that extra assistance each month helped me to pay my bills with less stress, knowing it would be paid for on time.”

H.O.P.E. also provided Ashley with a budget coach, which helped her track and plan where her money was going, as well as school supplies and Christmas gifts for her kids.

When Ashley first started school, she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to manage it all. However, in October 2023, Ashley graduated from Chamberlain University with her nursing degree and a job lined up as a labor and delivery nurse for a local hospital. Looking forward, she hopes to save money and eventually buy a home for her family.

“If you feel like you are overwhelmed or drowning, H.O.P.E. is a great resource. Not only do they help you financially, but mentally as well. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, they are always someone you can talk to. They are there to alleviate any burdens you may have.” (Ashley, Graduate 2023)