My name is Monica V. Andrews, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at Johnson C. Smith University. My journey has been shaped by profound loss, resilience, and an unwavering determination to rise above my circumstances. I'm starting this GoFundMe not only as a student but also as a survivor, an advocate in training, and someone driven by a deep desire to create change.

I didn’t begin college until the fall of 2024—later than many of my peers—due to a promise I made to my mother on her deathbed. She passed away in January of 2023, and before she left this world, I told her I would go to school and build a better future for myself. That promise became my guiding light through the darkest time of my life.

Before enrolling at JCSU, I was working and living in a shelter. I entered college without a permanent home and continue to rely on shelters during school breaks. The instability of homelessness, combined with the grief of losing my mother, created a heavy emotional burden. On top of that, I carry the trauma of surviving sexual and physical abuse by my mother’s husband, which changed my life and continues to impact my mental health.

I live with major depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These challenges are part of my daily reality, but they do not define me. In fact, they have become the foundation of my purpose. I chose to study social work because I wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger—someone who listens, supports, and helps others find their way forward.

Though my journey has been far from easy, I’ve already overcome more than I ever thought possible. In my first year at JCSU, I earned a 3.7 GPA while navigating the complexities of mental illness and housing insecurity. I also joined the cheerleading and softball teams, despite having no prior experience. These accomplishments are more than milestones; they are testaments to my strength, determination, and willingness to grow.

My goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma-informed care. I want to work with children, adolescents, and families facing abuse, loss, or homelessness. One day, I hope to open a community center that offers counseling, housing, and mentorship to youth in crisis—especially those who, like me, have felt forgotten or invisible.

Social work is more than a career path for me; it is a calling rooted in lived experience. I want to turn my pain into purpose, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to give others the support and safety I once longed for. I believe that our deepest wounds can also be our greatest sources of empathy and strength, and I am committed to using mine to make a difference.

Receiving these funds would ease a significant financial burden, but more than that, it would affirm that my story—and my future—matters. It would allow me to continue my education, stay focused on my healing and academic goals, and take one step closer to fulfilling the promise I made to my mother: to build a life I can be proud of.

I hope to not only overcome my past but also to use it as a foundation to uplift and empower others.

Sincerely,

Monica V. Andrews

Student of Social Work at Johnson C. Smith University

100 Beatties Ford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28216 USA