2022 Anselmo Family Award

Hello!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the Ralph and Theresa Anselmo Resilience Award over the last four years. I am happy to announce that the award is coming back for Year 5!

Since 2018, we have helped fund thirteen awards for students registered with the Northeastern University Disability Resource Center (DRC), totaling $13,800!

The award recipients are very grateful for your support. These awards have made a difference and have given them added peace of mind during a hectic time. As a college student many (many) years ago, I remember what having a few extra dollars in my pocket did for lowering my anxiety. It made a huge difference.

This year, my goal is to fund four $1,000 awards for students registered with the Northeastern DRC. In a typical year, students must navigate classes and job hunt for a co-op position, while living in the middle of a major city. It is exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time! Not to mention everything else going on in the world right now.

Any amount of support would be greatly appreciated, even if it’s just sharing the GoFundMe link. I know times are tough economically for many. No action is too small!

 

For those new to the award, here is an overview of why I started it:

The Ralph and Theresa Anselmo Resilience Award is an award that I have created at Northeastern University (my alma mater) in honor of my parents, Ralph and Terry.

The goal of this annual award is to provide monetary assistance to a student (or students) registered with Northeastern's Disability Resource Center (DRC). Although I did not utilize the DRC when I was a student at Northeastern (my disease symptoms had not yet manifested), it is a resource I would have used had the timing been different. I have met several students registered with the DRC over the years, and they are some of the kindest, most driven students I have ever met.

As someone living with a progressive disability, I have benefitted from the support of others who have enabled me to achieve my goals and dreams, which included going back to school full-time to get my MBA. Many people have helped me along this journey, none more so than my parents.

My mom and dad have been instrumental in empowering me to succeed, even as my physical condition has deteriorated. They provide me assistance and support without ever asking for anything in return. My resilience today in facing my disease would not be possible without their help.