Friends and Family, some of you know about this amazing little story and for the ones who don’t, we want to share it with you…
15 months ago the Glodoski family took a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Upon arriving and ready to set our feet in the sand we were greeted by an energetic, joyful man, with a smile and laugh as big as the Caribbean Sea, he had a warmth that made you feel completely comfortable, after all that is part of his job. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Holly (Gabriel) Pierre, on vacation or know him as a friend, then you know exactly what I mean! And if not, I hope one day you’re lucky enough to. Over these past 15 months our whole family has come to love Holly like one of our own and it has become our divine mission to help him fulfill his dream.
While spending a week at the resort, we quickly became friends with Holly and heard of his ONE dream; to come to America to study. Out of all the things to dream of, this is his!! We told him we would look into the Community College near us, which we did as soon as we returned. That’s when it all started rolling, and we offered to become his sponsors! This isn’t a foreign exchange program, it has been done solely through our efforts. After a pain staking, informational year and many obstacles every step of the way in the form of tests, paperwork and fees, it’s actually happening—Holly has been accepted! One test Holly had to take was a Test of English as a Foreign Language, (TOEFL) which all international students are required to take. It is a very difficult four hour test and the school requires a score of 35 to enter. He nailed it with a score of 69! His transcripts and degrees have been certified by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and he’s been accepted into the school. After a recent interview at the U.S. Embassy his I-20 student visa has been approved and we are finally at the last step in this process! He will be living with us to offset his costs, and studying at Joliet Junior College, in Joliet, Illinois this August. We are so thrilled for him and all the hard work he’s put into his dream and making sure it happens!
When a pride filled person tells you, “You will change the course of my existence.” “Please, just give me a chance…” that’s an amazing statement to make on his part, and for us to hear, and absorb. (Please read that sentence one more time and take it in.) This is a man who comes from Port au Prince, Haiti, survived the 2010 earthquake and all the devastation it created, which gave him no choice but to leave his family, work and home country. He’s endured constant political unrest, studied by lantern in a love filled home that is run off an electrical grid with scheduled daily blackouts and no household running water. Yet he speaks 6 languages, (Creole, French, Spanish, English, Russian and German), works hard 6 to 7 days each week, including every holiday, all while maintaining a thirst for learning, and a love of math, and cars like no other. But most of all, he has a deep unshakable faith and unbreakable spirit. It’s the only way I think you can survive and dream all at once. He has put his dream in God’s hands, which is truly how we’ve made it this far in the process! Holly only wants to make his dream come true and study, in his words, “Because the US has one of the best educational systems in the world… It also offers a dynamic modern program.” This is his only chance for an opportunity he otherwise wouldn’t have. So here’s where YOU come in… Holly’s been saving every peso, penny and Haitian gourde for the past year. International students aren’t eligible for scholarships their first year thru JJC. Federal funding, grants, or loans from a broke nation aren’t an option AND he needs to pay the first year’s costs UP FRONT. An international students costs to attend JJC is $25,000. His costs include international tuition, (which is three times the residential rates), transportation, insurance, books, tools, and winter clothing. We’ll be helping with all living expenses but the time frame only gives little time to raise the remaining $14,000 he needs to secure his enrollment in JJC. After his second year the tuition drops to 1/3 once he can apply for residentcy, not citizenship.
Please consider making a difference. We’re asking for whatever amount you can share, large or small, you will make a HUGE difference in his journey. It is so appreciated! Thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to message me and PLEASE SHARE. You may see the name Gabriel, don’t be confused, this is the name he goes by at work.
Thank you for your support and please keep Holly in your prayers,
Ali Glodoski & Holly Pierre