Every Journey,
Every Transformation,
Starts with ONE.
ONE gift. ONE student. ONE life forever changed. And that change touches countless others, shaping families, strengthening communities, and inspiring generations.
Together, we are powerful. Together, we are ONE.
Samara, a senior at Our Lady of Tepeyac High School, a Big Shoulders Fund Plus school, embodies the power of ONE. She helped repair homes for families in need during a service trip to Kentucky. She campaigned passionately for the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, emphasizing the impact its loss will have on our community. She plans to study nursing in college and become a neonatal nurse. Samara has always put others before herself, epitomizing the importance one person can have in transforming the lives of others.
"My motivation comes from wanting to make a real difference in the world and to be a positive role model for my little sisters."
Samara credits Big Shoulders Fund with giving her the chance to join a safe and nurturing community, where she can learn, explore, and lead. Supporters—like you—are the heroes who help make Samara's story and the experiences of many students possible. No matter how big or small, your efforts ensure we can continue preparing students for lifelong success—and empowering them to become heroes for their communities.