In the final chapter of my parents’ lives they needed 24-hour care. Even though I visited daily, I could not be there 24/7. My parent’s caregivers were angels on earth. They provided the care, the eyes, and the heart to help them while maintaining their dignity.

Each caregiver had a story of why they were in this profession earning minimum wage yet providing incredible emotional support to my parents. Their stories ranged from coming from unhealthy home environments, dropping out of high school, dropping out of college to take care of a sick parent, and insufficient financial means to achieve an advanced degree.

Their aides were all living paycheck to paycheck with little encouragement to improve their lives. My parents believed Education was the key to advancement and financial security. My Mom would always listen to their stories and want to help while my Dad would constantly ask if they would think about additional education or a different line of work that was not so physically demanding and emotionally draining.

Once an aide or a housekeeper told them they needed a GED to obtain a better job or their math skills would not allow them to pass a test for a better job, my dad offered to tutor them in whatever they needed. The aides would come on their breaks to their room or come after a 12-hour shift and my dad would help them.

When my dad’s health failed, my husband and I entered the picture helping with tutoring, getting them the resources, they needed to register for class, and paying their fees for classes and testing. When life seemed overwhelming, we became their life cheerleaders to help keep them motivated.

Once my parents passed, we decided to make their dreams come true--everyone needs an education for a better life and started Enabling Education in honor of my parents. Enabling Education provides tutoring service, life coaching, and financial support services primarily to Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing employees who seek financial security through higher education.

This is a journey in progress, but one that gives additional purpose to our lives. To see a Housekeeper get her GED and become a CNA, a CNA become an LPN, or an LPN become a RN is a beautiful sight. To see a graduate receive health benefits for the first time in their lives from their employer or to listen to them say how proud their children are of them is a feeling we never want to lose.

We hope you can help us on our journey to keep my parents’ dream alive and make the world a little better place with education for just one more person at a time.

Our Story