Ari K.

My name is Ari K., and I am deeply grateful to the administrators and donors of JFLA for the support that made a meaningful difference in my life.

I reached out to JFLA during my final year of graduate school, with a board exam quickly approaching. At the time, I needed assistance to cover tuition, required textbooks, and study materials essential for exam preparation. I had learned about JFLA through members of my local Jewish community in California who had received support themselves, and it was deeply reassuring to know that my community looks after one another in times of need.

As a former foster youth, I faced significant financial barriers. I had limited personal resources, and my family was also unable to provide financial support—challenges that are all too common for foster youth. Research shows that only about 3% of foster youth earn a four-year college degree. I am proud to have graduated not only with a bachelor’s degree, but with a Master of Science and a board-certified credential, placing me in less than 1% of foster youth who achieve a postgraduate education.

This milestone would not have been possible without the generosity of JFLA’s administrators and donors, who believe in access, dignity, and opportunity. Your support did more than help cover expenses—it allowed me to focus on my studies, complete my program, and move forward into my profession with stability and confidence. Thank you for investing in students like me and for helping transform possibility into reality.