Curt Allen, his wife Jeanine and son Todd have endowed a scholarship to be awarded each year to a deserving Kennesaw State student who is part of the Center for Young Adults in Addiction & Recovery (CYAAR) program.  When my 29-year old daughter Laura lay dying in December from a drug overdose, Curt stood vigil with me and when she lost her life decided to name the scholarship in her memory.

This will be the first scholarship awarded by the Allen Family Scholarship and it’s going to a well-deserved individual who has been part of the program for 3 years.  He goes above and beyond his college curriculum by being involved with education abroad (Italy), sober events, seminars and meetings as well as providing off-campus sober housing for students. He is a business major and will graduate Summa Cum Laude in December.   

This student typifies the individuals who have committed to recovery, even in the face of legal issues, financial setbacks, and other obstacles.  Graduates of the KSU program make excellent employees having demonstrated resilience, determination, and the sheer will to fight and overcome the disease of addiction.

My Laura went to KSU but didn’t join the program which I think could have been a game-changer for her.  Please consider adding to the Allen Family Scholarship fund so we can provide these well-deserving students with the chance they need to be the great employees, parents, citizens, and leaders this country deserves.   On behalf of Laura, who can no longer speak for herself, she would be proud and grateful to have this scholarship be in her memory.