Latonya Young, 43, is a single mother of three from Atlanta, Georgia who was trying to pay her way through college by working as a hairstylist by day and an Uber driver at night. Unfortunately, her bills added up and she ended up owing $700 to Georgia State University. Until her balance was paid, she was unable to continue with her criminal justice studies.

“Every time I got ready to pay the money, my kids needed something,” Young told WIST-TV. “I said, ‘Okay, I’ll just wait.’”

Young, who had dropped out of high school when she became pregnant with her first son, eventually got her GED. In the nearly three decades since, she has had two other boys, enrolled in cosmetology school and begun working on her degree at Georgia State University. She has struggled to raise her children, pay bills and work two jobs, yet never lost sight of her goals.

Recently, Young picked up a passenger, Kevin Esch, at a soccer game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the issue of her financial debts came up. After a cordial conversation, Young dropped her Esch off and went on her way. A few days later, she got a call from Georgia State University saying that she could continue with her classes since Esch had settled her remaining balance.

“I was literally blown away. A stranger has never done that or done anything like that for me,” Young told reporters, adding that after her balance was paid, she worked hard to keep her grades up to ensure that Esch knew how much she appreciated his kindness.

A few weeks ago, Young received her associate’s degree. Among those who attended the graduation ceremony was Esch, who has become a mentor and a source of encouragement for Young. Her goal now is to continue with her studies and complete her bachelor’s degree with dreams of one day becoming a lawyer. Esch has called Young and “inspiration” and says that he was “blessed” to be able to help her out.

Esch said that there was something about Latonya that resonated with him. The two have become good friends and he’s incredibly proud of her accomplishments. "I could've bought new clothes, or I could've helped someone out. And what has come back to me has come back a hundredfold and I would do it 1,000 times over," he told CNN Full Circle.

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Esch, who has no children, said he had never done anything like this before. Working as an estate manager, he has done well for himself but believed that he could either spend the money frivolously or do something meaningful for someone else. In the end, he believes his effort was inconsequential, saying that Young deserves the credit for working hard and getting her degree.

Source: Good News Network, AJC