On Military Spouse Appreciation Day and throughout the month of May, ThanksUSA will recognize special military spouse scholars who have shared their stories and life lessons with us. Thank you to all of the spouses who remain committed to the well-being and readiness of our service members.
When Navy spouse Josefina Howard became the primary caregiver for her elderly mother, she began relationships with numerous social-service agencies on her mother’s behalf. Inspired by her parents and those who helped her find the necessary resources, Josefina decided to pursue studies that would allow her to help others in the caregiving community. With the assistance of $9,000 in ThanksUSA scholarships from 2013-2017, this Dallas native is completing Gerontology studies at Fort Hayes State University.
Josefina’s life was forever changed after completing 450 hours of service through AmeriCorps National and Community Service Program last year. She said that her eyes were opened to the social problems in Dallas and the resources available. This experience inspired Josefina to expand her curriculum, and she is in the process of completing a Substance Abuse Counseling Practicum. Ultimately, Josefina envisions herself working for the VA Hospital or a non-profit organization to serve Veterans and their families, the disadvantaged, or disabled individuals.
This drive to help others who are struggling stems from her upbringing as part of a family of seven children in the poor section of Manila, Philippines, where money, jobs and other resources were scarce. The family found ways to make money as a show band in the 1980s, but Josefina’s parents always dreamed of higher education for their children.
Josefina’s life was forever changed after completing 450 hours of service through AmeriCorps National and Community Service Program last year. She said that her eyes were opened to the social problems in Dallas and the resources available. This experience inspired Josefina to expand her curriculum, and she is in the process of completing a Substance Abuse Counseling Practicum. Ultimately, Josefina envisions herself working for the VA Hospital or a non-profit organization to serve Veterans and their families, the disadvantaged, or disabled individuals.
This drive to help others who are struggling stems from her upbringing as part of a family of seven children in the poor section of Manila, Philippines, where money, jobs and other resources were scarce. The family found ways to make money as a show band in the 1980s, but Josefina’s parents always dreamed of higher education for their children.
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Josefina is pictured (left) at Rudy's BBQ, a ThanksUSA scholarship sponsor, and (right) with her husband and two sons.
Josefina currently attends school part time while caring for her chronically ill veteran spouse who suffers from Gulf War Syndrome after serving for more than 23 years as a Naval Aviator. Like many military spouses, Josefina’s career and educational pursuits were often set aside as she homeschooled their two sons – the eldest is now a Naval Aviator himself and the youngest is intending to commission as an Army officer through ROTC and the Texas National Guard. She is proud to say that she is only nine courses away from earning a Bachelor of General Studies with concentrations in Human Services and Gerontology and will graduate in 2019.
Army spouse Leslie Caleb was awarded a full-tuition Purdue University Global/ThanksUSA Associate’s to Bachelor’s scholarship valued at over $33,000. Leslie currently majors in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Purdue University Global.
Leslie’s journey as a military spouse is unique in that she was born outside the U.S. and came to this country with no transferable education. Knowing that education would be a valuable asset for her future, she began with a GED program and has continued to advance her education through personal determination and financial assistance from various scholarships. Leslie found out about the ThanksUSA scholarship program through connections made within her community. Having completed an Associate degree in Business Administration in 2016, Leslie qualified for the full-tuition Associate’s to Bachelor’s scholarship and ultimately transferred to Purdue University Global to complete her degree.
Leslie’s journey as a military spouse is unique in that she was born outside the U.S. and came to this country with no transferable education. Knowing that education would be a valuable asset for her future, she began with a GED program and has continued to advance her education through personal determination and financial assistance from various scholarships. Leslie found out about the ThanksUSA scholarship program through connections made within her community. Having completed an Associate degree in Business Administration in 2016, Leslie qualified for the full-tuition Associate’s to Bachelor’s scholarship and ultimately transferred to Purdue University Global to complete her degree.
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Watch Leslie tell her story here and share a message to other military spouses. She is pictured with her husband Master Sergeant David Caleb.
As a military spouse of six years, Leslie encourages other military spouses to be open to starting fresh, even letting go of a past way of life, to make a better situation for yourself and your family. She has also found it beneficial to enlist the help of mentors, whether it be another military spouse, service member, or a respected member of the community.
Outside of school, Leslie is currently employed in a leadership position at Amazon. She looks forward to graduating next year, fulfilling a lifelong dream made possible by generous donors of ThanksUSA.
Outside of school, Leslie is currently employed in a leadership position at Amazon. She looks forward to graduating next year, fulfilling a lifelong dream made possible by generous donors of ThanksUSA.
