I am writing on behalf of Erikah whom I have mentored since she was 8. She is now 23. I met her in the former Easter Hill neighborhood of the Iron Triangle in Richmond. (I founded a nonprofit for kids to go to summer camp (www.yesfamilies.org), and she was one of those kids.) Her story is similar to many kids from that neighborhood at that time: drugs, negligence, and dysfunction. She spent her adolescence in foster care and has since been struggling to get her footing on solid ground. Now, after graduating from Year Up (www.yearup.org), she is employed at an entry level position at NASA in the Silicon Valley area. Her take- home pay of ca. $2500 doesn't leave much for rent either in Oakland, where she now has a 1-bedroom, or anywhere near her work. And, whether she lives in Oakland or in Fremont, Hayward, or San Leandro (all nearer to work), she will need a reliable car.
She is thrilled to have this job. She feels that it is the beginning of a successful work life as she models what a successful woman looks like for Eriella, her 3-year-old daughter.
Many young people her age are able to rely on parents to give them the boost of essentials to begin work life. Erikah doesn't have that. We are hoping to raise enough money from generous souls to subsidize her rent for at least a year (not all of it, but about $500/month), enough to allow her to pay the remainder of ca. $1000 to $1200/month, and about $5,000 for a reliable car. Raising about $11,000 would allow Erikah to live closer to work and to focus on work and on raising Eriella. She now leaves home at 6:00 a.m. in order to take Eriella to child care. A car would give her the option to choose a better day care as well as a closer place to live.
Without help, Erikah will continue to struggle with obstacles not of her making. We all live in this difficult economy, but for someone alone with no family support, just surviving from month to month feels like an insurmountable challenge. She does not want to take Eriella to a shelter; she wants for Eriella the home she never had.
With sincerest gratitude for whatever you can donate to Erikah and Eriella.
She is thrilled to have this job. She feels that it is the beginning of a successful work life as she models what a successful woman looks like for Eriella, her 3-year-old daughter.
Many young people her age are able to rely on parents to give them the boost of essentials to begin work life. Erikah doesn't have that. We are hoping to raise enough money from generous souls to subsidize her rent for at least a year (not all of it, but about $500/month), enough to allow her to pay the remainder of ca. $1000 to $1200/month, and about $5,000 for a reliable car. Raising about $11,000 would allow Erikah to live closer to work and to focus on work and on raising Eriella. She now leaves home at 6:00 a.m. in order to take Eriella to child care. A car would give her the option to choose a better day care as well as a closer place to live.
Without help, Erikah will continue to struggle with obstacles not of her making. We all live in this difficult economy, but for someone alone with no family support, just surviving from month to month feels like an insurmountable challenge. She does not want to take Eriella to a shelter; she wants for Eriella the home she never had.
With sincerest gratitude for whatever you can donate to Erikah and Eriella.
Organizer and beneficiary
Erikah Dorsey
Beneficiary