In late July 2021, I was blessed to receive Alec’s car at a pivotal moment in my life. Prior to that,
I was finishing my first year of college, which, for myself, was in person. I was ecstatic to be on
campus, even with heavy regulations, considering the previous year's lockdown due to the
Covid-19 outbreak. My first year of college brought many new lessons and experiences that
significantly contributed to my growth as a young man.
Yet, when I returned home that summer, I began witnessing something that truly broke my heart.
My mother was working two jobs around the clock, almost every single day. Her schedule
allowed for very little rest: she would return home from her first overnight job around seven in
the morning, hastily eat, sleep for maybe four hours, then head to her next job at noon, returning
home around seven in the evening. This grueling routine persisted throughout most of the week,
and while I had been aware of it during my time away, its true toll on her didn't hit me until I
returned home
As I contemplated the upcoming school year, I initially thought about where I wanted to live in
Tempe. However, my thoughts increasingly turned to the burden my mother carried with her
demanding work schedule. Family members, myself included, witnessed her deteriorating
health and urged her to quit one of her jobs. She would come home looking like a literal zombie,
barely able to keep her eyes open and navigating the house disoriented.
Deep down, I knew it wasn't worth it—my mother's health suffering wasn't worth me living on
campus. I believed that God would find a solution for us. After discussing with my father, we
gathered as a family at the dinner table before prayer, where I announced my decision to live at
home for the next year, allowing my mother to quit her second job. This moment deeply touched
her heart, and she agreed to quit her second job, bringing us both immense relief and gratitude.
Now, my father and I faced the challenge of figuring out how I would commute to school. My
father always encouraged me, saying, "Have faith and pray; God will provide." Little did I expect
God's answer to my prayer to come through another person. Mr. Carbine and his family learned
about my situation and generously offered Alec’s car. My family and I were overwhelmed by
their generosity—a gesture that not only eased my commute to school and allowed my mother
to return to one job but also profoundly impacted my life.
Reflecting on that experience three years ago, I see how it has shaped who I am today. Through
one family’s generosity, I've been blessed with opportunities and experiences that have shown
me my calling to serve the community, especially the underserved. Initially uncertain about my
career path during my first year of college, I was solely focused on making money and achieving
wealth. However, that first year shifted my focus to serving others, leading me to the path I am
on now.
Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s Degree in Public Administration at ASU under a fellowship
dedicated to developing future public servants capable of city management roles. Additionally, I
plan to pursue a law degree in the near future to practice criminal defense for juvenile youth and
collaborate with the Equal Justice Initiative.
My entire career trajectory and mindset have been transformed by one answered prayer from
God, manifested through one man and his family's extraordinary generosity. One generous act
created a powerful ripple effect in my life, and for that, I am forever grateful to Alec and the
Carbine Family.
