Thanks for showing your support for Ivan

Ivan Greene spent much of the last week eating at McDonald’s, sleeping on a friend’s couch and researching places to buy used text books in time for his fall semester at college.  Such is the way of life when an education wasn’t part of your long-term plan, but is suddenly at the top of your short-term to-do list.

In this space a week ago I had the privilege of sharing Ivan’s story. I was proud to do it. It has been a marvel watching this young man from St. George’s march confidently toward success even though, at times, he’s tiptoeing on the edge of a cliff.

We all know a college dream without a means to pay for it is not the stuff reality is made of. But in Ivan’s mind, if he has the will and the faith, the rest will fall into place. He might be right.

Sizeable support from the public poured in since Ivan’s plea for help to pay for college — about $8,000, mostly from total strangers. People were inspired to read about a young man who reached a crossroads and decided, knowingly, to choose the path that included an education, the more difficult path.

People seemed willing to reward that decision with some of their own hard-earned money — $25, $500, even $1,000 from a couple who told Ivan via email: “I would like to think that we are part of a giving community and we as fellow Bermudians will rally together to help you. We wish you all the success that you deserve.”

They had never met Ivan. It didn’t matter.

At Mirrors — a place where Ivan learned to set goals — they know him well and were equally inspired. It’s also where Ivan and I became unbreakably linked in a mentoring relationship. The coordinator wrote to tell me staff members are pooling their money because they feel compelled to help. They believe in Ivan’s story, and dozens more like it, every single day.

There will be another deadline soon coming for the remaining balance — not to mention books and other stuff — so the continued giving is a tremendous help. After that we can begin the strategic planning for scholarships to help Ivan finish a college career that not long ago seemed wholly unattainable for this once aimless Bermuda teen.

It took courage for Ivan to do what he has done. It’s hard to stand tall while holding your hand out.  But he has done it; he is doing it. I am incredibly proud of him.

Before he left for Alabama’s Oakwood University last week, I asked Ivan what happens if this doesn’t work. What happens if your plea goes unanswered, your dream is crushed under the weight of reality?

He wasn’t afraid to answer. He told me he had faith that if he did his part God would take care of the rest. He said that’s what happened when he went back to school, entering the ninth grade at age 17. He said that’s how it went down when he signed up for Mirrors. As long as I have faith, I’ve got a shot. That’s what he told me. Sometimes I forget which one of us is the mentor.

Glenn Jones manages Bermuda.com, a sister company to the Bermuda Sun.