Ebony J.
East St. Louis
Ebony听and her husband live in East St. Louis, Illinois听with their听four daughters. When the Tax Credit Scholarship听Program听began in 2018, three of Ebony鈥檚 children were able to attend Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School听on full听scholarships.听鈥淎t the time, my husband was in between jobs. We would not have been able to afford the tuition without this program. The scholarships听gave us听the听financial freedom听to听buy a new vehicle and complete some needed home repairs,鈥�听she says.听听听
鈥淎t first,听I chose Sister Thea Bowman听because it was close to听home听and听I听did not want to send听my听children to听the local听public school.听Now,听Sister Thea Bowman is like family.听The care they provide, the genuine concern, and the education is amazing,鈥� Ebony says.听鈥淢y kids play the violin, receive exposure to different ways of life, and the faith-based aspect听of the school is important to听us.听Additionally, because the听classes are听small you get that听one-on-one听interaction听with听the staff. They听just know听us,听and I really feel as though they love听our family.鈥�听听
Ebony鈥檚 daughters听have already received their tax credit scholarships听for the听upcoming听school year鈥攐ne at Sister Thea Bowman and two at听Althoff Catholic High School.听She says, 鈥渋t was such a relief when the funding came through听in early April.听Althoff picks up where Sister Thea Bowman left off and听I听hope the education听my kids听receive there will help them听receive听college听scholarships.鈥�听
This past year has been particularly difficult for the Jethro family. Their youngest daughter has special听needs,听and her husband has experienced some health issues,听both of which听contributed to their听financial strains. Not to mention the impact of听the COVID-19 pandemic.听鈥淲ondering if you will be able to pay bills or for medication that is not covered by insurance is very stressful.听These scholarships really are听a lifeline for us. It听is听a fresh听start. It means so much,听I can鈥檛 even put it into words,鈥� she says.听听
When asked what would happen if the Governor鈥檚 proposed cuts听to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program听were passed, Ebony says, 鈥渇amilies like mine听would听not听have the opportunity to send听their听children to a school where they are听pushed to excel and do their best.听For my family, we听would have to choose between school and health.听That would be a hard decision.听It just would not be right.听We want the same opportunities for our children as families who can afford the tuition.听I听hope听legislators will realize that these scholarships are impacting everyday families and听communities and听ask them to please keep this program.鈥�听
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