Help Anna Return to School

In 2012 I had to leave Bennington College after two years of study. My family was struggling financially, and I found myself facing over 12k in debt. I spent many years unable to process what had happened to me, too busy learning how to support myself financially to address my grief at losing the community and purpose that I had found at Bennington.The past six years have been extremely difficult for me and my family, but they have not come without a silver lining. In 2013 I completed an apprenticeship in organic farming, and since then have worked on many farms in the Pioneer Valley - for the past two years I have even found the time to run my own small farm business. These experiences taught me the value of patience and hard work, and sparked in me the desire to be engaged in local food systems, food justice, and sustainable agriculture: interests which I hope to pursue academically.Over the years this debt has made it hard for me to plan for my future and it has been difficult at times to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Then this past Spring, my sister Margaret (who was in the same situation as I am) was brave enough to come forward and ask for help. Thanks to her hard work, and the generosity of friends and family, she will be returning to college in the fall. I hope that through this fundraiser that I will be able to join her in the near future. To clarify: because this is a privately held debt to the college I attended, not student loan debt, I am still unable to apply for financial aid, access my transcripts from Bennington, or take any classes for credit until it is paid off. Up to this point, I have managed to pay down 4,000 of debt by myself. I am asking for your help now to push me over the finish line so that I can finally move forward with my life and education.

For any amount donated I will send you an original collage and a hand written thank you note. A donation of any amount will be appreciated more than I could ever say. And for those of you who don’t have money to spare, I am so thankful that you took the time to read my story.