To Wayne State University's Office of Financial Aid:
Through the years, Maliek has attended our church with his family. As the youth pastor, I have kept in contact with Maliek as he has been very public with me about his adopted family, the death of his adopted dad, and his financial struggles recently. Maliek attended our church almost 10 years ago with his family in Atlanta, Georgia. Maliek was the youngest in his family and was close to his adopted mother. For the most part, his adopted brothers and sisters, when they turned 18, left the house and didn’t keep in contact with Maliek. After moving back to Detroit, Maliek kept in contact with me, usually through email or phone, and let me know how he was doing and how his relationships with his family and God were. Recently, Maliek turned 18, which legally makes him an adult. When he turned 18, he was told he must leave his adopted mom's house. A month later, he was in an apartment by himself with a full-time job and no contact with his family as they had moved out of state, and. And he had had no contact with Maliek since. Maliek contacts me occasionally (once or twice a month) and lets me know how he is doing, and we pray together. Maliek informs me of how he struggles to pay his rent or get food, and I send him programs and public assistance he can utilize. Throughout my years of knowing Maliek, he has been a respectful, bright-minded kid, destined for greatness in the future, and I thank you for admitting him into your school as I know he will do amazing things.