Kind Passenger Helps Uber Driver Graduate College

• An Uber driver was able to graduate college with the motivation and help from a kind passenger.
• Kevin Esch motivated single mom Latonya Young to go back to school and finish her studies when he became her passenger three years ago.
• With hard work and some financial help from Kevin, Latonya got her associate’s and bachelor’s degree, and Kevin was there to cheer her on.

An Uber driver was able to finish college and graduate with a bachelor’s degree thanks to the kindness of one of her passengers.

When Kevin Esch became Latonya Young’s passenger three years ago, she never thought the encounter would change her life.

Now, the 44-year-old single mom of three holds a degree in criminal justice from Georgia State’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

The two first met three years ago when Kevin was Latonya’s Uber passenger. They got to chatting and shared their life stories. Latonya shared that her dream was to become the first member of her family to finish college, but the tuition and other bills were too much for her.

Kevin tipped Latonya $150 at the end of the ride, which helped cover her utility bills.

A wonderful friendship soon blossomed. A newly motivated Latonya promised Kevin that she would resume her studies.

But there were a lot of stumbling blocks. Latonya still had a $693 balance from eight years prior, and she couldn’t register without paying it. She updated Kevin, who immediately paid it off without her knowledge.

Kevin said, “I was in a place to be able to do it, and it was the right thing to do.”

Latonya worked hard to save money, but her expenses kept piling up. “My kids needed stuff. I put my education on hold to take care of my family,” she shared.

Still, she continued to work harder to achieve her goal. Eventually, in 2019, she received her associate’s degree. And Kevin was there to congratulate her!

“It meant everything to me that Kevin was there,” she said.

Latonya didn’t stop there. She worked as a hairstylist and a substitute teacher while working on her bachelor’s degree under the Jeanette Ranking Women’s Scholarship Fund. The fund offers financial support for women over 35 from low-income backgrounds.

Latonya shared, “The funding helped me get through the hardships.”

She finally graduated with a bachelor’s degree on May 6. And Kevin was there to cheer her on again!

Kevin said, “I’m proud that she followed through with what she said she would do for herself. She is such an inspiration to me, but also to so many people who are in the same position as her…She’s got an incredible future ahead of her.”

Congratulations, Latonya! And thank you, Kevin!

Source: Tank’s Good News