When Melrose Villas resident Alondra, 18, received a used 2005 Honda Civic from her parents for her senior year of high school, it was her ticket to freedom. She planned to commute in fall from San Marcos to her dream school: University of California, San Diego.
But after a few months on the road, her car became plagued with issues stemming from a cracked catalytic converter. Alondra’s college plans stalled.
“Since my car was in such bad shape, I considered not going to UCSD because it’s so far away and I was scared I would get stranded or worse during my commute.” Alondra said.
That’s when Hope through Housing stepped in.
Alondra was selected for a Building Bright Futures scholarship, giving her $1,000 to repair her car just in time to start her first new semester at UCSD, where she is majoring in human biology.
“I’m so grateful I got this scholarship, because it means that I can drive safely to my first-choice school without a problem,” she said. “I am so thankful that there are organizations out there like Hope through Housing.”