From High School Caretaker to UC Berkeley

When we talk about employee benefits, we often think of traditional packages: healthcare, retirement plans, and perhaps some paid time off. But what if a benefit could directly impact not just the employee, but also their family? What if that benefit could help a young person, the first in their family to pursue college, navigate the challenging journey to higher education?

This is the kind of story that came to life through Empowerly, a benefit offered to employees with children dreaming of higher education but facing significant challenges. Let’s dive into the real-life experience of Ryan, a young man whose story exemplifies the transformative power of Empowerly.

Ryan's family emigrated from Jordan when he was just a child. Like many immigrant families, they came with dreams of a better life and new opportunities. Ryan was a promising student, excelling through middle school with dreams of college—a dream his parents encouraged, even though it was an unfamiliar path for them. But high school threw Ryan a curveball.

In his sophomore year, Ryan became the primary caretaker for his elderly grandparents and his younger siblings. His parents, both juggling multiple jobs to keep the family afloat, had little choice but to lean on Ryan, who stepped up without a second thought. Overnight, he found himself balancing schoolwork with the responsibility of caring for his family, managing meals, assisting his siblings with homework, and supporting his grandparents' needs.

It’s no surprise that Ryan's grades started slipping. Despite his best efforts, he simply couldn’t keep up with the workload. Stress, both academic and personal, became his constant companion, and his dream of attending college started to feel out of reach. His high school, an under-resourced public school, struggled to provide individual support; after all, his counselor was responsible for over 600 students—giving each student just 15 minutes of dedicated time every year.

Enter Empowerly. Through his father’s employer, Ryan was matched to his dedicated Empowerly counselor Theresa, who became his guide, mentor, and advocate. For Ryan and his family, starting Empowerly wasn’t just a benefit—it was the first step towards a new future.

As an expert counselor who specialized in working with first-generation college families, Theresa knew that college admissions was about more than grades. She recognized Ryan’s remarkable resilience and the unique challenges he faced, and she wanted to help him turn his story into his strength. Together, they crafted a college application plan that would not only highlight his academic abilities but also tell his powerful story of balancing family and education.

To tackle his application hurdles, Theresa and Ryan dove into some lesser-known but powerful application tools. They used supplemental essays to communicate the real impact of his caregiving responsibilities, which provided admissions officers with a full picture of his commitment, perseverance, and leadership. Ryan’s dedication to his family and community became central to his application, allowing him to stand out.

With Theresa’s guidance, Ryan took a path that was both practical and strategic: he would attend community college to complete his core coursework while continuing to support his family. This would allow him to stay close to home and help his parents, all while building a strong academic foundation. After that, the goal was to transfer to UC Berkeley, his dream school, to pursue engineering.

Empowerly was there for every step, coaching Ryan through the application process, helping him find resources for financial aid, and providing a roadmap for his journey. By the time he was ready to apply to UC Berkeley, Ryan’s plan was clear, his narrative compelling, and his confidence in his future unshakable.

For Ryan’s father, this benefit meant peace of mind. Empowerly didn’t just help his son with college guidance; it provided a sense of security and hope for their family’s future. Empowerly for Employers isn’t just about education; it’s about equity, opportunity, and creating a culture that supports families at every level. Employers who offer Empowerly demonstrate a commitment to values that resonate deeply with employees, especially those in underserved communities.

When companies invest in a benefit like Empowerly, they are doing more than checking a box. They’re showing their employees that they believe in providing:

• Equitable Access to Opportunity: Empowerly’s services help bridge the gap for students from low-income families or under-resourced schools, ensuring they have a chance to pursue their dreams.
• Support for Family Well-being: The ripple effect of educational support benefits entire families, reducing stress and opening doors.
• A Commitment to Success for All: Empowerly shows that every student, regardless of economic background, deserves guidance and mentorship to reach their goals.

Providing Empowerly as a benefit is a powerful way for an employer to reinforce their commitment to employee families. For Ryan’s father’s employer, this benefit served as a meaningful way to connect with employees’ lives outside of work. It wasn’t just about a college counseling service; it was about offering a lifeline and a supportive network for the people who matter most to their employees.

The results? Empowerly benefits both the employee and the employer:

1. Increased Employee Loyalty: Employees feel more loyal to a company that actively supports their family’s well-being and future.
2. Enhanced Company Culture: Offering college guidance as a benefit signals to all employees that their company values equity and educational access.
3. Long-Term Positive Outcomes: Empowerly helps create a generation of educated, motivated young adults, which benefits communities and, in turn, the workplaces they eventually join.

Today, Ryan attends UC Berkeley, studying engineering. With the guidance of Empowerly, the backing of his family, and the support provided by his father's employer, Ryan was able to achieve his college dream.

Ryan’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that a benefit like Empowerly can have—not just for the student, but for their entire family and their future. It’s a testament to the power of human connection, guidance, and an employer’s commitment to the lives and dreams of their employees’ families.

For employers, the question is simple: How many families like Ryan’s could you help by offering a benefit like Empowerly?

When employers invest in benefits that make a difference, they invest in the people who show up every day, ready to contribute to the company’s success. Empowerly for Employers is more than a perk—it’s a lifeline, a support system, and a pathway to a brighter future for students and families alike. And isn’t that what true employee support is all about?