Help 1st-gen. college student keep her housing!

I'm raising $1,500 for my friend Sanija-Lanea Aikens, who is facing eviction next Friday, Sept 22. Sanija is a junior at the University of Alabama, a first-generation college student majoring in Social Work (pre-law) and psychology with minors in anthropology and special needs education. $1,500 will fund her rent for September and October while she and her family work with the University on a longer-term plan for her housing for the rest of the academic year.

Sanija is a powerhouse, a dedicated and diligent scholar who is highly motivated to learn about and solve problems in the world. She is attending U. Alabama (Tuscaloosa) on scholarship, * including a housing scholarship * which was supposed to cover her housing costs for the semester. So why am I asking you to contribute towards her rent fundraiser? Unfortunately, due to mismanagement on the University's part, Sanija's housing scholarship funding is no longer available - and the University doesn't even have enough dorms to house all of its students! See news story here: https://thecrimsonwhite.com/110285/opinion/opinion-tuscaloosa-is-squeezing-students-by-keeping-housing-scarce/

I first met Sanija as a member of Philly Thrive, where for years she has served as the youth board member representative, the youngest board member in the organization. Even as a teenager and high school student, Sanija has always taken her duties as board member seriously, and played an active role in many organizational decisions. She has also been a key part of strategic planning and event organizing at Philly Thrive for many years. It was a huge loss to the organization when she left the state to further her education, but we're proud of her for pursuing her dreams! I've worked with a lot of young people in my career as a teacher, and I can confidently say that Sanija is absolutely one of the brightest and most committed scholars I have ever had the honor to know. She's going to change the world - in many ways she already has. So please, donate if you can to help her keep her housing and stay stable during the rest of this academic year! Thank you <3