Emergency Expenses to Become a Lawtina

Hi all,

My friend Vanessa is a first gen Latina from Compton, CA who is graduating in May from USF Law School. Becoming a lawyer is often out of reach for many people of color because of how expensive the process is. Any funds raised will be used for her bar costs and living expenses during the two months she will be studying for the bar exam.

I met Vanessa in 2012 while we were both attending UC Berkeley, and one thing I know is that she has worked tirelessly to achieve her dreams. Vanessa grew up in a low-income neighborhood in a one-bedroom rental home with her parents and siblings. Although her family struggled financially, her parents did the best they could to put food on the table. Vanessa’s life is a resilient one. She navigated helping her mother with her epileptic seizures, and caring for her younger siblings, while staying dedicated in school. She graduated high school with honors and a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship-awarded to 1,000 recipients in the US out of over 20,000 students who applied.

Vanessa graduated from UC Berkeley in 2015 and worked for a few years in the nonprofit and legal world before she applied to law school. Only a semester ago, Vanessa’s father passed away. Vanessa looked up to her father because of his hardworking and humble qualities. Even though his death deeply affected Vanessa, she focused on her mental health and she continued to push forward in law school and finish the semester. Vanessa is a resilient and humble person and a strong advocate for mental health awareness. Anything that you can help with would be greatly appreciated.

Note: Expenses will cover Vanessa from June-August as follows: Rent: $2000; Expenses for test to prove that she need's Bar Exam accommodations: $4,800; Groceries: $200.

Any amount helps. Please feel free to share! Thank you for your time and wish you the best.

Cheers,

Carlos and Vanessa