Garv* grew up carrying a responsibility no child should bear.

At just 11 years old, after losing his mother, he and his younger brother arrived at Back2Back’s campus. Their father, overwhelmed by grief, fell into addiction, leaving Garv to step into the role of protector and provider long before he was ready.

Without intervention, their story could have followed a familiar path: interrupted education, fractured relationships, and a future shaped by survival rather than opportunity.

But that is not what happened.

Because of donors who chose to step in, Garv and his brother entered family-style care surrounded by safe adults, consistent routines, and trauma-informed support. They went to school. They built relationships. They were given space to grieve and to grow.

Over time, the brothers leaned fully into campus life. As their emotional needs were met, their confidence grew. Their bond deepened. And Garv began to discover where his gifts and abilities came alive, especially in the classroom.

Eventually, he set his sights on an ambitious goal: earning a Bachelor’s degree in Technology.

“A B-Tech degree is highly competitive and requires extraordinary focus,” shared Goldie, Back2Back’s India Site Director. “Garv understood what it would demand, and he stepped into that challenge with courage and discipline.”

With the help of scholarships and the strong foundation built through Back2Back’s care, Garv entered university carrying more than academic preparation. He carried character, resilience, and values shaped by years of intentional investment.

“I met his professors and the dean of his college,” Goldie shared. “They spoke not just about his intelligence, but about his kindness and his willingness to help others. That says everything about who he has become.”

While Garv pursued his degree, his younger brother remained on campus, equally committed to his studies. They stayed closely connected, celebrating together when Garv graduated and began applying for full-time positions.

Today, he is stepping into independence with confidence. He is preparing to provide for his brother and, with prayer, hopes to one day help restore his relationship with his father. He knows challenges will come, but he also knows who he is, what he’s capable of, and that his past does not define his future.

This is what happens when safe adults show up and stay.

Because donors invested in consistent, trauma-informed care, two brothers were not left to navigate loss alone. Education continued. Healing took root. And a cycle that could have repeated was broken.

This is the power of partnership.