Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
The Call for Action team came in and mediated the dispute, and the outcome in this case meant the young girl was able to start college this fall.
"Bert and I were very passionate about becoming foster parents specifically to help Marie. We had found out about her and wanted to help her," said Kimberly Boudet.
Maria was living with her foster family when she got the great news that she'd been awarded a $2,500 college scholarship.
"There was a seven or eight-page acceptance letter that we have to complete and it pretty much said the rules. So you've got to maintain a certain GPA. You've got to be a full-time student. You've got to submit your paperwork, You know, at the end of the semester, and pretty much we will send you the funds that you've been awarded," said Kimberly.
While she waited for the money the Boudets adopted Maria.
"It makes me feel wonderful because it makes me feel like part of the family now," said Maria.
For the first time the word 'family' would back fire for Maria after a phone call from the scholarship group.
"I said, well this is her mom. How can I help you? And they said, ‘Oh, her mom? Has she been adopted?' said Kimberly.
And just like that, Maria's hard-earned award was revoked.
"She was, like, Oh, it doesn't matter because if she's adopted, then she has the family's resources. Ok, well, we have eight children, we can't pay for any of our children's college," said Kimberly.
After getting nowhere on their own, they decided to ring up Call for Action for help. The group's director Susan Bowie got on the case, and started making calls. Soon the scholarship organization was talking again to the Boudets.
"So, literally, from that day to the date we got the first check was probably a week and half," said Kimberly.
The family says the organization decided to dip into its emergency fund to still offer the scholarship. With the scholarship in hand, Maria Boudet started her freshman year of college.
"It was just simply Call for Action that got the results and took care of our baby," said Maria's father.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
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Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
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Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
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Maria Boudet
