08/14/2025
🎓 From $693 to a College Degree — All Thanks to a Stranger’s Kindness
In 2018, Atlanta single mom Latonya Young was driving Uber at night to provide for her three children when she picked up a passenger after a soccer game — Kevin Esch.
During the ride, Latonya shared how she had left Georgia State University years earlier because she owed just $693 in unpaid fees and couldn’t afford to clear the balance. Her dream was to return and become the first in her family to graduate.
A few weeks later, without saying a word, Kevin quietly paid off the debt. When the school called to tell her she was eligible to re-enroll, Latonya broke down in tears — stunned that a complete stranger would care so deeply about her dream.
That single act of kindness changed everything. Latonya returned to school, worked tirelessly, and on May 6, 2021, she proudly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice — with Kevin sitting in the audience, cheering her on.
Today, their friendship continues, and Latonya says Kevin’s generosity inspires her to help others — a living reminder that one small gesture can change a life forever. ❤️
