Lois

At 65 years old, Lois Riddle made a decision that many people would consider impossible. While most people her age are preparing for retirement, Lois was raising her 13-year-old granddaughter as her legal guardian, working full-time as a Customer Service Representative with Cigna, and pursuing a bachelor's degree in public health at Capella University. Every day requires balancing work, college coursework, and the responsibilities of parenting all over again. 

When Lois first reached out to H.O.P.E. Inc., she wasn't looking for a handout. She was searching for hope. That search led her to H.O.P.E. Inc. and ultimately changed the trajectory of her family's future. 

Lois has spent much of her life putting others before herself. Years ago, after her marriage ended, she found herself raising her own children alone while navigating the challenges that accompanied addiction within her family. Like countless single mothers, she put her dreams on hold so her children could have opportunities she never had. She enrolled in college while her children were still in middle school, determined to earn a degree. But life had different plans. Working two jobs, relocating several times throughout the Carolinas, and providing for her family forced her to step away from school before she could finish. 

She never stopped believing in education. She simply chose her family first. Life asked even more of her when her daughter began struggling with bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Rather than allowing her young granddaughter to experience instability, Lois stepped in and became her legal guardian when she was only three years old. She lovingly assumed the role of parent once again, creating a safe, stable home while encouraging her daughter to focus on healing and recovery. Even while raising a second generation, Lois quietly held onto one dream, to someday finish the degree she had started years before. 

By the time Lois entered H.O.P.E.'s program, she was carrying burdens few people could imagine. She was grieving the recent loss of her mother after using her entire 401(k) savings to pay funeral expenses. The financial sacrifice left her with almost nothing to fall back on only $25 in savings. Then her work hours were unexpectedly reduced for nearly three months.Her annual income dropped dramatically, forcing her to make impossible decisions every month. Should she pay rent, keep the lights on, buy groceries or fill her gas tank so she could get to work? Every bill competed with another necessity.  

As the sole provider for her granddaughter, failure wasn't an option.When her work hours finally returned to normal in January 2025, Lois believed she could rebuild but only if she could survive the immediate crisis. Searching online for housing assistance programs in Georgia, she discovered that many organizations had exhausted their funding. Eventually, she was referred to H.O.P.E. Inc. What she found was far greater than financial assistance. She found a community that believed her dream still mattered. At an age when society often tells people to slow down, H.O.P.E. reminded Lois that it is never too late to keep moving forward. 

 During her year in the program, H.O.P.E. Inc. invested more than $8,200 into helping Lois remain focused. Lois received $6,000.00 in Rent Assistance, ensuring she never had to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and continuing her education. Then cumulatively $1,000.00 in Grocery Assistance was given to help put healthy meals on the table during financially difficult months. She was also provided with $300.00 in Transportation Assistance, allowing her to travel to work, school, and meet the daily responsibilities of raising her granddaughter. Utility Assistance was given at $491.86, covering electricity, natural gas, water, and phone expenses when every dollar mattered. Even her granddaughter was thought about by providing $340.00 in Youth Camp Assistance, allowing her granddaughter to enjoy experiences every child deserves while Lois remained focused on completing school. Lastly, $105.95 in Emergency Household Assistance, helping address unexpected expenses that could have disrupted her progress.  

Recognizing that academic success requires more than paying bills, H.O.P.E. also surrounded Lois with wraparound support. Through donor generosity, she received a laptop and an iPad.During the holidays, her granddaughter received Christmas toys and gifts, replacing financial stress with joy. These investments represented far more than financial assistance. Every gift reminded her that she didn't have to carry the weight alone. Because of donor generosity, Lois wasn't forced to choose between caring for her granddaughter and completing her education. 

She was able to do both things. 

In 2026, Lois proudly graduated from Capella University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, earning an impressive 3.44 GPA. She increased her hourly wage from $21 to $23 per hour, improved her credit score from 580 to 680, and rebuilt her financial stability by growing her savings from $25 to $600.

Today, Lois stands as living proof that education has no expiration date, and that one investment in a caregiver creates ripple effects for generations. Because someone chose to invest in Lois during one of the hardest seasons of her life, a grandmother earned the degree she had postponed for decades, a young girl gained an unforgettable example of perseverance, and an entire family's future became stronger. 

"For much of my life, I put everyone else's needs before my own. There were times I wondered if finishing my degree would always remain a dream. H.O.P.E. came into my life at exactly the right time. Their support lifted burdens I couldn't carry alone and reminded me that my future still mattered. This degree isn't just for me, it's for my granddaughter, so she will always know that no matter your age or your circumstances, you should never stop believing in yourself. I will always be grateful to every donor who made this journey possible." 

— Lois Riddle, 2026 Graduate