From Adversity to Achievement: Jonah’s Scholarship Journey

Life has a way of presenting challenges that test our resilience and determination. For Jonah Belance, Community Foundation of Louisville scholarship recipient, the journey to achieving his dreams was met with many obstacles.

Growing up in a single-parent Haitian-American household, Jonah’s family faced significant hardships. His parents, aunts, and uncles escaped Haiti’s dangers and uncertainty by immigrating to the United States. As they settled into a life of better stability, his family worked for the U.S. federal government, assisting others seeking safety through migration. Hoping for more opportunities for a better future, Jonah’s family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where Jonah was born and raised. Although life in the United States was a haven compared to their earlier life, the path was far from easy for Jonah and his four siblings.

Through the combination of his parents’ divorce and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonah found himself navigating a sea of uncertainty and academic struggles. Going into high school at Southern High School, Jonah experienced further hardships as his mother’s health declined, requiring surgery and subsequent bed rest, only to be followed by his aunt’s breast cancer diagnosis.

“After school got out during COVID, my auntie and all my cousins lived in one apartment with my mom and four other siblings, so it was a packed household,” said Jonah. “Leading up to that, I wasn’t doing well in school during COVID. My mindset on where to go after high school…I just wasn’t there yet.”

Despite these adversities, Jonah’s determination to succeed never wavered. As the pandemic subsided and his mom regained her health, Jonah returned to school in his junior year renewed with vigor, seeking out resources and support from his teachers and counselors. His passion to serve the Louisville community through local justice initiatives led Jonah and his fellow students to form an organization called Justice Now. His involvement in community service projects expanded into initiatives like the Justice Express, which aimed to address food insecurity and provide clothes and support to displaced individuals throughout the city.

Jonah’s journey to achieve his dreams accelerated as he defined his educational goals. Ms. Danita Lewis, his high school counselor, played a pivotal role in guiding him to the General Scholarship application, where he could be matched with various scholarships. After Jonah applied, he was awarded multiple scholarships by surprise in front of his peers and faculty at his school.

“I broke down because a bunch of people with cameras and a check came in,” said Jonah. “I was thankful for this scholarship and I knew that this could further my education goals. This support goes beyond educational goals, and after I achieve my degree, I want to give back to Louisville and open up my own scholarship [fund] that serves students like me who didn’t have people to encourage them to perceive their goals, whether it be an educational or vocational trade.”

Today, Jonah is a freshman at the University of Louisville, where he continues to thrive academically on his journey in the medical field and serve his community in any way possible. Justice Now’s Justice Express bus still operates today, is supported by current student volunteers, and has received funding from Kroger and Humana. Jonah’s efforts within the organization created a ripple effect that continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of many today. In addition to his community involvement, Jonah became president of both the Black Student Union and senior class at Southern High School, and took up many other leadership roles. “My journey taught me that every challenge is a chance to grow,” said Jonah. “And I want others to see that their story can lead to greatness too.”

Jonah’s testament of determination through adversity holds inspiration and hope for students everywhere, showing that opportunities will find you when you express who you truly are.

Inspired by Jonah’s story? Apply to this year’s General Scholarship application or impact a student’s life by creating a scholarship fund.