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Many people know Mitch Albom as a journalist and best-selling author who has sold over 40 million books – such as Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven – worldwide.
They may not be as familiar with his nonprofit work. About 15 years ago, Albom launched A Hole in the Roof Foundation. According to Albom’s website, their goal is to help faith groups of every denomination who care for the homeless repair the buildings used to carry out their work and offer their services.
In 2009, the group completed its first project by repairing a crumbling church roof in Detroit. A year later, the foundation completed its second project, 1700 miles away from the Motor City: the rebuilding of the Caring and Sharing Mission and Orphanage in Haiti after a devastating earthquake. It is now called the Have Faith Haiti Mission and Orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Since then, Albom’s foundation has been on a mission to transform the lives of children who make their home there. Not only through a caring and nurturing environment but by changing their lives through education. It’s a lofty goal in a nation where 80 percent of children fail to reach secondary school.
Fortunately, Albom and his organization aren’t afraid to dream big.
In 2011, they launched a bilingual school that’s been called the jewel of the Have Faith Haiti Mission. In addition to a personalized approach that capitalizes on their academic strengths while shoring up areas of weakness, students learn four hours of English and three hours of French every school day.
The robust curriculum also prepares them for TOEFL – the standardized tests required for students who wish to apply to college or graduate studies outside of Haiti.
It was in these positive and encouraging circumstances that Appoloste Cadet – a 19-year-old who has lived in the orphanage since he was three – developed dreams of his own. He wants to be a mechanical engineer.
“Appoloste is our go-to guy for anything that has to do with engineering or fixing things,” Albom said.
He also has a very specific vision for his future, gravitating toward roles where he’ll be responsible for the design and structure of power plants – inspired by Haiti’s own struggles providing electricity to the population at large.
Now, thanks to the amazing generosity of LTU donors who will help pay for his education, Appoloste has the opportunity to attend LTU as a full-time student in the fall.
Tonight, Haya Sobh will reveal the stories of several students whose education is made possible through the generosity of donors, including Appoloste.
Too many lack the resources to attend college, which is unfortunate. When Lawrence Tech students graduate with a technologically-focused education, they go on to earn some of the highest wages within Michigan and the Midwest, contributing to a stable and satisfying future – not only professionally, but personally.
Once they’re in successful positions, LTU alums often give back by creating scholarships for students who need financial assistance to earn their degrees. Just like others helped them.
Talented students deserve a great education. If you would like to know more about how you can create scholarship opportunities, please contact Kevin Finn, VP of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement: KFinn@LTU.EDU
AUTHOR: Pam Houghton
We have found the more connected the donor is to LTU programs the bigger their support. We have many ways you can help..
One of the best ways you can help students realize their dream of earning a degree is through an endowed scholarship.
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