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oundations Established 1967
“Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me.” - Luke 9:48 Graduation Issue ‘13
What God Starts… He Finishes! “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6 KJV
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ust as the apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Philippi with these words, we too can rest assured that the Lord will complete the good work he has begun in all of us. Paul knew and was a prime example that what God starts, he finishes. Where God guides, he provides. And where God leads, he meets our needs. This summer Jean Reardon, Bair’s scholarship administrator, Brandy Houk-Shearer, and Dorie Alcaro from Marketing had the privilege of attending the college graduation of Nakiba Quarles from the University of Phoenix. Nakiba was serviced through the Harrisburg office and received Bair’s Ed Massey Scholarship for five years. What seemed like an improbable journey for someone whose hardships began early; she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.
Foster Alumni Nakiba Quarles graduated from The University of Phoenix, held at Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA
To achieve her degree, Nakiba overcame significant obstacles. On two occasions, she had lost her job, lost her apartment, and for a period of time, Bair was unable to contact her. Resilient and filled with faith, Nakiba got back on her feet. She changed schools, found housing, and began attending classes again with the financial support of The Bair Foundation. In the meantime she also got married, secured a job and gave birth to her son, Davi’.
Nakiba is presented with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology Nakiba credits her success to her husband, William, and to the many individuals who were a part of her long journey; her case workers, close friends, her independent living worker, and of course The Bair Foundation. First and foremost though, she credits the Lord for giving her the strength she needed to reach her goal. As she walked across that stage, we, her cheering section, could not have been more proud. Not just because she obtained a Bachelor’s degree but because of all she had overcome. One month after graduation, Nakiba & William welcomed the newest member to their family… their son Nalo. Although she is thoroughly enjoying her family, Nakiba is already thinking about her future. Her plans include the pursuit of a Masters Degree in Social Work with a concentration on policy and administration. God truly did finish…all that He began!