Ms. Karen Collins believes the education her grandson Delano has received at Unity Christian Academy has had a profound impact on his life — and hers.
Delano, a senior at UCA, is currently serving an internship at Associated Allergist & Asthma Specialists in Orland Park. He also finished a soccer season earlier this year, and served as the team’s goalie. He’s currently on the basketball team.
UCA’s impact
Beyond any athletic or academic achievements though, Ms. Collins sees UCA’s greatest impact in her grandson’s maturity.
“For him to be here at UCA all four years, it’s had an impact on his life. His demeanor, his attitude — it’s all from God,” she said. “His thought process is that of a young man — the way it should be. … Sometimes I just sit and listen to him, and I know it’s the education he’s gotten. … If you’re in an environment where Christ is the foundation, it makes a big difference.”
UCA Senior Delano Collins served as a goalie on the Phoenix Soccer team. He’s shown above during a game against Universal School on September 1, 2023.
Ms. Collins says some of her friends are surprised by Delano’s thoughtfulness, as he will call his grandmother when she’s out late at work, just to make sure she’s ok.
“If I’m not home and it’s late, he’s calling me to check on me. … I have friends that are amazed at him and his behavior,” she said. “If your child comes here (to UCA), or anywhere like this, it’s going to hit you in the face. You’re going to see it. You’re going to see it. Delano has developed so much. I can’t express the genuineness and the realness of it, this young man that I’m seeing. I’m just thanking God.”
Senior year – Fully funded
Ms. Collins is especially grateful for Delano’s senior year at UCA, because there was a time when she wasn’t sure it was possible.
“It’s just me and Delano — no other financial support,” she said, adding that as a single woman working a part-time job, it can be a challenge to make ends meet each month.
As Delano’s senior year at UCA began, Ms. Collins asked herself a familiar question: “How am I going to do this every month?” She asked other family members for help paying the tuition, which was already discounted through UCA’s mean-based tuition model.
Then, one day when Ms. Collins was at UCA to make a tuition payment, Head of School Mr. Okuley pulled her aside and told her the news: Delano had received a scholarship through Invest in Kids that would fund the rest of his senior year.
“It was like walking with about five or six grocery bags in my hand, and being able to set them down and rest. That’s what it felt like,” Ms Collins said. “It was like the whole room was cleared out and I had all the space I needed. A heavy load lifted.”
Invest in Kids scholarships
The scholarship Delano received came directly from funds raised through Invest in Kids, an initiative through the State of Illinois that allows donors to receive a tax credit for 75% of their donation. Thirteen UCA families have received tuition scholarships with funds raised through Invest in Kids.
Unfortunately, the Illinois state legislature has voted to end the program in December 2023.
A group of stakeholders are pictured with IL State Senator Napoleon Harris.
Ms. Collins, who traveled earlier this year with a group of UCA stakeholders to Springfield to advocate for the Invest in Kids program, is saddened by the state’s choice. But even after the program ends, she’s committed to doing what she can to help other families receive an education like Delano’s.
“This education has such a positive impact in so many ways. Financially, spiritual, mentally. And it’s diverse,” she said. “This education does more than put all it can into the child that receives it, but it extends to others around that child.”