'All it takes is one person to believe in you' - Abol's Story

Read the story below shared by Bryan Lund, Project Legacy tutor, Legacy Academy volunteer and facilitator of the Writer’s Workshop. This story is told by Abol in her own words and is being shared with permission.

I remember being in fifth grade at a student-parent-teacher conference. One of the counselors or social workers for the school asked me if I wanted to join an all-girls yoga group.

I told her I would be interested in doing that, and then, just from that conversation, I was introduced to Karen, who was leading the yoga class. We met for yoga every Saturday at 10am. It was just a couple of us who joined, but we started talking after the yoga sessions, and it became more than just yoga. It became a time to talk about life. 

I’d never done yoga before. It was strange at first, but then I felt more comfortable with Karen and her daughters, who were also a part of the group. It became something to look forward to, it was fun and relaxing. I could speak to the other girls, and I’m sure they felt comfortable to speak about other things going on in their lives, not just yoga. I think being relaxed in that environment made it easier for all of us to open up and be comfortable with each other inside of that sphere.

From there, we started to meet on different days of the week and do volunteer work. Doing all of those things together formed the group. We would help set up events, help with church activities, or go on mission trips with the church we went to. 

I felt like it matured us, in a way. We got to see what other people go through and what we are fortunate to have, and what other people didn’t have. As simple as having a roof over your head, or something like that. Doing things for the community made us all feel mature and like we had a better understanding of the world. It’s important that we did that. I'm so thankful that she got us out there volunteering, because I feel it's important for everyone to do that. So they see, like, everything.

Fifth grade is when Kira, Karen’s daughter, and I joined RYVA, youth volleyball group. And I remember saying, the next day after practice, “Yeah, we're not going back.” 

We debated whether to go back or not. Thank God we said yes, because I feel like if I hadn't said yes, I probably wouldn't be in a position I am today. Not only did that sport bring me confidence and a desire to do something - it pushed me in school as well, because if you're not doing well in school, that confidence isn’t there. Before volleyball, first through fourth grade, and half of fifth, school was just something I knew I had to do. There was no push; I just knew that was just what I was supposed to do.

Eventually, the yoga group ended and a girls group formed. It was just us meeting and talking and doing volunteer work and finding out what else we could do together. And what other places we could visit to get a better perception of the world, like other businesses and how they work, or meeting leaders in the community.

It became a healing circle once people started opening up and trusting each other. It became a safe place. It was stated as a safe place, but it wasn’t felt until everyone felt that comfort and willingness to share and help one another out without even knowing they're helping each other.

[The tutoring program] started when I was a sophomore. Math is not my favorite subject, so when I heard there was someone that could help me with math, I took advantage of that. I didn't think of it as an extra chore. I just thought of it as an opportunity to learn and get better. Having volunteers there willing to help with any subject - that was awesome. Everyone should use that to their advantage.

In eighth grade, me and Kira were coming out of practice one day, and next door was a Century and JM game going on. I remember being so amazed and thinking, ‘I want to play in high school.’ That was when my drive kicked in. I remember thinking, ‘What am I going to have to do to play in high school and to continue playing college?’

In order to do that, I had to make sure my grades were good, and that I took the time to practice and perfect the craft. From that point on, from that day in May (I can remember it clear as day, even though it was years ago) education became a priority. I thought, in order to have this, I have to make sure my education is good. I knew my education needed to be good in order to continue to play. And that was my motivation.

I was a pretty mature person. I just felt like I always had that. I wasn't easily distracted, but even if there were distractions or I felt like I was struggling in school, I would go and ask for help. I knew that Project Legacy had volunteers to help with school subjects, and I would ask them for help because I knew that's what they were there for. From the beginning, Karen would tell us, ‘Your education is important.’ She and John would tell us, ‘That's something that like no one can take from you.’ 

For her to say that and mean it made it easier for me (and I'm pretty sure other people) to ask her for assistance. When I felt like I wasn't doing the greatest in school, I knew I could ask her for a volunteer to help me.

The transition from high school to college was completely different. There was no time in between, because when I graduated, I was already committed to playing at this university. So the day after I graduated, I had to come up here.

I didn't really have time to process the change. And once I mentally processed it, it was overwhelming. It was just a big rush. It was like, ‘Okay, am I homesick? Am I going crazy? Am I okay? Am I gonna finish college? Do people really finish college?’

All of that was going through my head.

When you're at home, you're comfortable. When I left my environment and went to a completely different town, it was literally a culture shock. It was overwhelming. There was no... I don't want to say safety net… but it wasn't like I could drive 10 minutes to someone's house or something. I had to call people, I was probably on the phone for hours talking to someone trying to motivate me to continue or push me. It was that necessary. It was just as important as eating. You need that support system. 

Having the support that Project Legacy has provided and knowing I can pick up the phone and call Karen any time, or anyone that I felt comfortable talking to, that was so important. And it was definitely a reason I finished school - because I knew that I could call her and talk to her when I had doubts. She made it clear that it was nothing to worry about. And she believed in me.

I feel like all it takes is for one person to believe in you for you to accomplish anything and do anything you set your mind to.

Project Legacy helps with laptops, my phone bill, rent, and being an emotional support system. Without having a working laptop, there was no way I would be able to access anything unless I’m at school. If I had to work on a paper overnight, and I don't have that laptop, there would be no way for me to do that. So having these materials that Project Legacy provided for college students who are in PL removes a huge burden you don't have to carry alone anymore. I’m just extremely thankful and grateful for that. I tell Karen all the time that I'm just so thankful for that.

Towards the end of college, I wanted people know their support and dedication didn't go to waste. I have been listening; I understand; I see the world how it is. I know it's not all roses and rainbows. I know how this works, and thank you for helping me. I think that also played a part in me getting used to the new college life and being comfortable with what the situation is.

I didn't completely feel that I graduated until I sent in my last final. People were messaging me congratulating me, and I was thinking, ‘Okay, but my computer could die and I couldn't send in my file….’  Anything could happen at this point. So I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

But once I officially graduated, it felt like I finished a years-long marathon and could finally take a deep breath. I thought, ‘You did it. You can take time to finally accept it.’ I just felt very happy and proud. I double majored in community health and sociology. 

I hate the word plan, because I don't like making plans and having them ruined. But now, my goal is to give back to the community and do something that's going to help other people achieve their goals. I want to help people in the community, or even younger kids who might not grow up in fortunate neighborhoods or with a fortunate background. I want to let them know that they can do what they want to do, because they might not hear that anywhere else. Even schools don't always tell kids these things. I feel like it's important to instill these memorable words at a young age so they believe it and know it. I think that's what I want to do.

[I try to be a role model by] making a goal and sticking to it. Showing other girls who came from similar backgrounds as me that they can do anything they want - anything they put their mind to. They don't have to let any negative thoughts or people who might not want to see them do well get in the way of that. If you believe that you can do it you're dedicated to something, keep going, don't stop. Because there are people who are on your side that are rooting for you.

I’m grateful for anyone who's ever helped the program or volunteered. Everyone who's been a part of Project Legacy: Thank you. Without everyone here I don't think it would be as big as it is.

During my internship with Karen this past summer, it was busy 24/7. It doesn’t stop. This work is not a 9 to 5. It happens every day, all day. I always knew Karen was a hard worker, but I didn't realize how much time she put in until I was right there with her, watching everything. Seeing how a nonprofit organization works and how much dedication you have to put into it. I just had so much respect, and more respect than I already did. 

Honestly, when I started working with the younger girls in Project Legacy, they weren’t as open or willing to talk a lot. Once we started getting to know each other, I saw that they were opening up slowly. That brought me so much joy. It makes you happy, thinking that you hopefully made a difference in their lives… but just to see them having fun and enjoying being with each other and talking to one another and being willing to speak about their feelings - I feel like it was so important. That's one of our main goals, because the vulnerability that each and every one of us brings to Project Legacy is how our program becomes stronger and more of a united front.

That's what separates a program like Project Legacy from others.