Empower Victoria's Future with Quality Education

Help, if you can. We have to reach our goal by April 10, which is so soon. 

My Goddaughter, Victoria, reminds me so much of myself at her age - and has gone through so much more. She’s thoughtful, clever, loves computers and dance, and puts her family above all else. It’s time she was able to do something she truly enjoys and deserves.

Victoria’s mother - my best friend since freshman year of high school - and her wife have had more challenges in their lives than many could even fathom. It’s not my place to write it all here. But through it all and more, Victoria has become a smart and kind young woman that has so much potential for exceptional greatness, given the opportunity.  Beyond that, Victoria’s parents always try to find a way to make things work. They are always pivoting and shifting and sacrificing and doing without, to benefit their four children. They go without in order for their kids to have a better life. 

Victoria’s mother is a 17-year speech language pathologist who works with older adults with dementia, suffer from strokes, swallowing disorders, voice disorders and communication disorders. Her job and livelihood is in jeopardy due to the Medicare and Medicaid cuts and threats to defund.  Victoria’s other mom is the learning coach to Vic and her twin brother for cyber home-school; her brother needs significant 1:1 because of his AuHD (Autism/ADHD) diagnosis. Vic’s mother has been trying for years and applied to literally hundreds of other positions in her field. Unfortunately, her profession has “piegonholed” her from leadership and management positions despite having nearly 20 years of extensive experience. 

 With her parents’ unwavering commitment, Victoria applied to a private school called Perkiomen School - an extraordinary institution that promises opportunities Victoria wouldn’t have any other way. And - from a school with only a 35% acceptance rate - she was accepted!

Even with financial aid, the cost of this opportunity is quite high. Only ONE single year of school tuition - and this figure is AFTER receiving financial aid and what Vic’s family would be responsible for - is the total goal of this fundraiser. There are no grandparents or extended family to help. There is no reserve of funds or other resources that come without steep additional risks. There are only the people reading this that can make this a reality. 

Here is part of her application to help explain why this is so important.

Victoria is an empathetic and inclusive child who desires a sense of belonging. She has excelled in Public Cyber Charter school, but has expressed interest in returning to a positive Brick and Mortar experience where she will feel more academically challenged and where she can pursue her interests in the arts, technology and STEM. Our local district's leadership and recent changes to how they view DEI have significantly changed and the district is unable to meet her needs.

Victoria is very drawn to schools that have a strong diversity and inclusion code of ethics where she will feel safe and accepted. Victoria has a twin brother who is Autistic and is from a two-mother blended family.

She is seeking an academic setting where she will be able to be herself without fear of bullying or exclusion. She is open minded, determined and passionate about music, theater, dancing and the arts. I want Vic to have the best possible education, as well as opportunities and tools available, that will help guide her on the path to become a strong, successful, independent and hard working member of society. She has strong aspirations to make positive changes in her community and I feel that a private education will challenge her in order to meet her needs academically and socially.

More than most families, much of her childhood was placed on hold in order to protect her family's health and well being. As a result, she has grown into one of the most empathetic and caring individuals I have ever known. She always thinks of the well-being of others in all that she does. Victoria has a strong sense of integrity and understanding that many people her age are not yet capable of.

Victoria’s family has been in survival mode for so long, and to have this opportunity just out of reach is crushing. I’m creating this fundraiser in the hopes she can have a chance at this.

It’s not right that only the extremely wealthy can experience the best education when worth is not measured by how much money they can pay. Can you help my goddaughter and her family get a chance at truly changing her life in the best possible way?