Growing up, my family faced the kind of hardships that many underprivileged families in the Dubuque area experience today. My mother worked hard to keep us afloat, and she very well could have utilized local support programs just to help us survive. Because of the community’s safety net, I was able to grow into the compassionate, successful person I am today. I am living proof that community support can break the cycle of generational poverty.

Today, I am proud to work for a local non-profit that directly benefits from United Way funding. Our organization gives area youth a life-changing opportunity: exploring the skilled trades before they even graduate high school. We don't just teach them skills. We connect them with local employers offering livable wages, giving them a tangible path to financial independence and a way to break free from generational cycles.

However, building these pathways requires resources. The barrier many youth face isn't a lack of talent or drive. It's a lack of access, mentorship, and opportunity.

That is where you come in. By supporting my Over the Edge rappel, you become the hero of this story. Your donations directly bridge that gap, funding the vital United Way programs that lift up the underprivileged and empower the next generation of skilled workers in the Tri-States.

In exchange for your generosity, you get the satisfaction of knowing you are actively investing in a stronger, self-sustaining local workforce. And, as a bonus, you get to watch me step over the edge of the MidWestOne building and rappel down to the ground!

Please consider donating today to help me reach my goal and build a brighter future for Dubuque's youth.