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From College Bound to Homeless
My name is Dale Clontz. I’m honored to introduce you to an opportunity to save a life, to right a wrong, to be a hero. The MINUTE I heard this story, my heart broke.
My wife Diane and I are friends with a couple, Chris and Andrea. Chris is a high school teacher. He’s a good teacher; he’s no nonsense, doesn’t allow excuses and demands performance from students that other teachers may have written off.
About three weeks ago, he got a broadcast email from his principal, asking for help from the faculty. His student named Chyna Rodriguez came to the office with grave news. Chyna is a decorated wrestler, featured in the local newspaper many times. She’s a sweet kid, a good student, motivated and ambitious. She just signed a commitment to Midland U in Nebraska, on a wrestling scholarship.
Her mother kicked her and one of her siblings out of the house. Twelve siblings total, four living in the house at the time and now she is out in the street. Chyna told the principal she didn’t have anywhere to go and wasn’t sure if she would be able to finish her senior year. That jeopardizes her wrestling scholarship and financial aid for college; if she doesn’t graduate high school, that would be forfeit. She works two different fast-food jobs. She goes to school in the morning, then homework and both jobs until 1-2 am, 50 hours a week. Wash, rinse, repeat. She has to use her little brother’s bike to get to work. Her mother made her leave suddenly, without warning. She was able to get a couple of small backpacks of clothes. That’s literally all she had with her when speaking to the principal. She didn’t even have a toothbrush with her.
Chris and Andrea offered to let Chyna stay with them until she graduates high school and moves to Nebraska in the fall. Since then, she hasn’t missed a single day of school and work. She’s done her chores. She hasn’t complained once. She’s been an exemplary house guest, student and employee. She’s driven and - the main reason I’m writing this - vulnerable.
Those of you with college-age kids know how expensive and arduous the process can be. Moving expenses, books, tech like computers and phones, meal plans, clothes, bedding, a bike to get around, etc. It was hard for my kids, and they have two loving parents behind them. Chyna is starting from zero. Even with the scholarships and financial aid and loans, she STILL needs $11,000 for room and board. I can’t imagine how she will do this alone. I WON’T imagine it.
We’re going to stand in the gap.
She made an Amazon Wish List of items she needs now and when she moves. She also needs money for a couple of trips to the college before school starts to get herself situated. We’re going to pave the road for her. Click the GIVE button, even if it’s $20.
This world is overflowing with avarice, bad news, pain. Sometimes we feel impotent, we stand by helpless, we wonder if people really can use help or if they are just grifting, the list goes on and on. However, sometimes the plight is not only authentic, it reminds us that we’re not merely self-interested beasts. It reminds us that we want to love and to be loved. We want to find one pure thing to protect and nurture. Not because of duty. Not because of guilt. Because we realize that we aren’t protecting and nurturing others. We are protecting and nurturing ourselves.
Chyna isn’t alone. Not when a spark of goodness still glows warm. Not when I have friends and family like you. Click GIVE. We need to thunderstorm some love onto this very deserving young girl.
Chyna recieving her scholarships at Senior Award Night
Chyna signing her letter of intent for Midland U
Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1I4LGUG76N972/ref=cm_sw_em_r_z_g__wb
My name is Dale Clontz. I’m honored to introduce you to an opportunity to save a life, to right a wrong, to be a hero. The MINUTE I heard this story, my heart broke.
My wife Diane and I are friends with a couple, Chris and Andrea. Chris is a high school teacher. He’s a good teacher; he’s no nonsense, doesn’t allow excuses and demands performance from students that other teachers may have written off.
About three weeks ago, he got a broadcast email from his principal, asking for help from the faculty. His student named Chyna Rodriguez came to the office with grave news. Chyna is a decorated wrestler, featured in the local newspaper many times. She’s a sweet kid, a good student, motivated and ambitious. She just signed a commitment to Midland U in Nebraska, on a wrestling scholarship.
Her mother kicked her and one of her siblings out of the house. Twelve siblings total, four living in the house at the time and now she is out in the street. Chyna told the principal she didn’t have anywhere to go and wasn’t sure if she would be able to finish her senior year. That jeopardizes her wrestling scholarship and financial aid for college; if she doesn’t graduate high school, that would be forfeit. She works two different fast-food jobs. She goes to school in the morning, then homework and both jobs until 1-2 am, 50 hours a week. Wash, rinse, repeat. She has to use her little brother’s bike to get to work. Her mother made her leave suddenly, without warning. She was able to get a couple of small backpacks of clothes. That’s literally all she had with her when speaking to the principal. She didn’t even have a toothbrush with her.
Chris and Andrea offered to let Chyna stay with them until she graduates high school and moves to Nebraska in the fall. Since then, she hasn’t missed a single day of school and work. She’s done her chores. She hasn’t complained once. She’s been an exemplary house guest, student and employee. She’s driven and - the main reason I’m writing this - vulnerable.
Those of you with college-age kids know how expensive and arduous the process can be. Moving expenses, books, tech like computers and phones, meal plans, clothes, bedding, a bike to get around, etc. It was hard for my kids, and they have two loving parents behind them. Chyna is starting from zero. Even with the scholarships and financial aid and loans, she STILL needs $11,000 for room and board. I can’t imagine how she will do this alone. I WON’T imagine it.
We’re going to stand in the gap.
She made an Amazon Wish List of items she needs now and when she moves. She also needs money for a couple of trips to the college before school starts to get herself situated. We’re going to pave the road for her. Click the GIVE button, even if it’s $20.
This world is overflowing with avarice, bad news, pain. Sometimes we feel impotent, we stand by helpless, we wonder if people really can use help or if they are just grifting, the list goes on and on. However, sometimes the plight is not only authentic, it reminds us that we’re not merely self-interested beasts. It reminds us that we want to love and to be loved. We want to find one pure thing to protect and nurture. Not because of duty. Not because of guilt. Because we realize that we aren’t protecting and nurturing others. We are protecting and nurturing ourselves.
Chyna isn’t alone. Not when a spark of goodness still glows warm. Not when I have friends and family like you. Click GIVE. We need to thunderstorm some love onto this very deserving young girl.
Chyna recieving her scholarships at Senior Award Night
Chyna signing her letter of intent for Midland U
Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1I4LGUG76N972/ref=cm_sw_em_r_z_g__wb