"I felt like I belonged in that place"
Read the story below as Bryan Lund, Project Legacy tutor, Legacy Academy volunteer and facilitator of the Writer’s Workshop, shares the journey of one Project Legacy participant in his own words. This story will remain anonymous and is shared with permission.
My involvement with Project Legacy started about three years ago. One of my friends was involved and directed me to it. Since then, it’s been the source of help and foundation to hold me throughout my education journey.
At that time, I was going to RCTC. I was living in an apartment, paying all tuition and everything else myself. There would be times where I would be having a hard time paying my rent or for groceries, and sometimes didn't have food.
There would be times where I would be thinking, like, “Hey, I need to make money if I want to keep going to school, keep doing what I'm doing.” Or there would be times I would wake up in the middle of the night, hungry, and then I would think, “Oh, I don't have food right now.” Or - “If I do have food, I gotta save it for some other time when I might need it..”
Being part of Project Legacy crossed those worries off and helped me concentrate more on my education and my career goals of what I want to do in the future.
I graduated with my associates degree from RCTC; I had over 65 credits and graduated with honors and an almost 4.0 GPA. I think that’s mostly because of the support and help of Project Legacy.
Just being with other members was a great thing. Circles were very helpful. There was a rule where whatever was said in the circle, stays in the circle. That was more reassuring for people to be more open about their experiences. There were some things I shared that I had never shared with anybody before. Letting those things out in circle with people I trusted and could relate to was very helpful. Hearing stories of other people, of their struggles, or things they've been through, connected me more because there were similar experiences we shared.
If somebody shared something, it was like a lesson for you; maybe use that story to learn not to repeat mistakes that have happened or how to act if you were in that situation.
After circles, there would be leftovers that I would take home, and that would be enough for, like, four to three days, sometimes, that I didn’t have to worry about cooking. It let me be more concentrated on my classes and work. Because almost every semester, I had at least 15 hours of work per week on top off, like, 12 to 18 credits.
They also helped us when there was an argument with my landlord where they wanted to charge us with some dodgy things. The lawyers who were part of Project Legacy actually helped us to avoid that and probably saved us a lot of money.
Throughout my life, I never had a good mattress and I have back issues. I finally got to sleep on a really good mattress and my back pain is almost gone now.
Project Legacy was the main source of support for me whenever I would be looking for a resource, financially to mentally. They were the foundation to hold me up and be there for me whenever I would be in need. But also at the same time, I don't want to be fully dependent. I want to try to be myself. That's why I keep on trying to work as much as I can to try to support myself as much as I can.
Since being a part of Project Legacy, I always had this mentality - since I'm getting help right now from kind of people out there, I would continue that chain when I enter the real world and start having an independent life. I would do the same thing as the people are doing right now for me and for other Project Legacy members. I could help others overcome their life barriers and struggles they are going through.
I have always wanted to do something good for the people for the world. I saw engineering as my path to accomplish those goals.
After I graduated from RCTC with my associate’s degree, I worked for a year. Even then, Project Legacy helped me very much in trying to find an internship.
After I took a year off, I transferred to school in Wisconsin and now I'm working on my bachelor's degree.
Luckily, I had an engineering-related job that would allow me to pay all of my tuition myself, with some support from Project Legacy. I should be able to graduate in a half year or so with my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Once I graduate, the goal is just to be part of the industry and get a competitive job where I can be independent, and start helping other people in need that are part of Project Legacy. That’s the goal for now. It might change.
A couple hours ago, I got tested and I was positive [for COVID-19]. That’s the only thing right now. I had scratches in my throat, but that was the only thing. I think it all started by my roommate, and then I got it too now. But I'm good. I think I'll be okay.
Since I'm pretty far from Rochester, during the pandemic, at the beginning, when we were holding the zoom meetings, I was able to attend. But now I think it's more physical attendance for circle members, so right now I’m just checking the websites or on our Facebook group.
Project Legacy is a place where I felt connected. I felt comfortable and included. I didn’t feel different, which I have experienced just because I have a different background from other people. I felt like I belonged in that place. For anybody who has that type of experience, or is just looking for friendships, for connections where you can trust each other and support each other, I think this is the perfect place. For me personally, it's kind of a home away from home.
To anyone struggling now, I would say, you are never alone. You don't have to go through everything by yourself. No matter what type of situation you’re in, just don't give up. There's always somebody out there who would help you and be there for you. Just because you might not know about it doesn't mean that you don't have anybody.