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Growing Up Quickly

Briana Streib

Growing up, Briana endured insecurity and fear. Today, Tiffin University is like her second family, thanks to the support she’s received.

“At a young age, I had to endure things that other kids didn’t,” says Tiffin University senior Briana Streib. Briana was born while her parents were still in high school—at which time her father immediately joined the Army and her mother dabbled in drugs. It was up to Briana to choose a different path.

“My mom worked two, sometimes three, jobs to support my half sister and me,” says Briana. “It wasn’t enough, and we often went on food stamps.” Beginning at the age of 10, Briana entered the workforce. She delivered newspapers to local neighborhoods before getting a work permit to work at McDonald’s. She had to earn extra money to pay for clothes, food, sports activities and essentials.

Briana stretched herself thin as a full-time student, athlete and employee. She was barely home, trying to distance herself from her feelings of uncertainty and neglect. Although her home life was unstable, work and school provided her a sense of security. “We moved around a lot,” says Briana. “It was hard for me to know whether I could call a place home. I wasn’t sure how long I would be living there.” Briana bounced house to house between shared parenting with her grandparents and mother. Eventually, her mother married, and their family of three grew to a family of seven.

Briana’s instability forced her to grow up quickly. She knew it was time to take her responsibilities a step further. “When I turned 16, I started the process to become emancipated,” she says. “I had a bad relationship with my mom growing up. She had an addiction, and I didn’t want to fall into the same path. I had a clear future for myself.” The process of emancipation wasn’t easy. It took nearly two years.

During the emancipation process, her living conditions worsened. “During my junior year of high school, we got kicked out for not paying our bills,” says Briana. “We then moved into a mobile home that was not in great condition. I found myself counting down the days until I could move into a college dorm.”

A few months later, Briana’s mom and stepdad separated. Rather than following them, she stayed in the mobile home. “It was a wake-up call,” she says. Briana had to pay bills on time and get groceries by herself. Many teenagers don’t have to do those things, which gave Briana a sense of independence. But independence and responsibility always come at a price. Briana had plans to attend college and began to worry about how she would afford the cost.

“I had to apply for every scholarship possible to pay for college,” says Briana. “Winning numerous scholarships paid for my first two years of college, debt-free. I was able to quit my job for the first time and focus on my education and athletic ability in track. I wanted a degree to support myself and my future family.”

Earning scholarships from Tiffin University was Briana’s first real support system. “Those who donate to the scholarship fund support students and their future,” she says. “I’m beyond thankful for everything I have received.”

Attending Tiffin University was one of the best decisions Briana says she has made. Tiffin University became Briana’s home and provided her a second family. “Everyone at TU is supportive,” she says. Her professors helped her with coursework and offered emotional support, especially when family problems arose. “My Dragon family is everything,” Briana says. “Tiffin University will always be my home.”

“One of the biggest life lessons I can take away is that your past doesn’t control your future,” says Briana. “Where you come from doesn’t decide where you’re going. You can always do better and set yourself up for greatness. Although life can be challenging, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. You can rise up, learn and grow. The bad always turns into good.”

Briana will graduate in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in human resources. She currently works for the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. (NECIC) and has accepted a full-time position at Harmony House as an HR administrator. She plans to get married in February 2021.

To learn more about how you can leave a lasting legacy and ultimately impact the lives of students like Briana with a planned gift, contact Mitchell P. Blonde, CFRE at 419.448.3584 or blondemp@tiffin.edu.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Tiffin University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Tiffin University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to TU or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to TU as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to TU as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and TU where you agree to make a gift to TU and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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