The Mack Summer Scholarship Fund 2025

Hello, my name is Tammy Mack, Human Rights, Civil Rights and Educational Advocate. I fight for the fundamental human and civils for our students. You would think in 2025 every child is awarded an equitable, Free Appropriate Public Education, absolutely NOT…...

The cases I represent are beyond heartbreaking and often keep me up at night. This case that I am about to share with you has broken my heart in a thousand pieces.

I am here sitting in my kitchen on Father’s Day trying to brainstorm how I can help this family, and this is the vision that came to me. For the first time, I want to award a family with a Mack Summer Scholarship Fund. I am asking for all my family and Friends support, to make this a reality.

Imagine being a young single mother of three beautiful children diagnosed with cancer. Not knowing the future, all you want is to enjoy every second with your beautiful children.

Instead, this young mother has spent the last four years in Delaware, fighting for the very basic fundamental rights for her child to be educated. No mother plans that their child will be diagnosed with a disability. However, when your child is diagnosed with a disability, you have to jump in the depths of that turbulent Ocean; whether you have a life jacket or not, whether you know how to swim or not. You are now fighting with every ounce of life you have, with no fear. Your child’s life and future depend on the will to proceed despite any adversity that comes your way.

This young mom’s son was diagnosed with Autism and several other diagnoses. He was enrolled in a school district in Delaware, where his treatment was beyond inhumane. The school district never implemented his services that aligned with his disabilities. Also, the mother of the child had found him in blood and urine at school. He was being restrained by uncertified professionals, who have only caused more harm to the child. The child was sexually abused on transportation to and from school. The Mom immediately reported it to the Delaware State Police, only to have the Director of Special Education at school retaliate against the mother. The Mom was a contract worker within the school district at the time of her son’s sexual assault. She was immediately terminated from working at the school. This Director of Special Education has weaponized her position to retaliate against Special Needs parents.

The burden on Mom, and this innocent 9-year-old has been gruesome. No mother or any child in the world should be treated like this. You would not expect this to happen in our backyard of Delaware, would you? This little boy and mother are just one of hundreds of Delawareans that have been subjected to this level of treatment.

This curious little thinker has not been given an equitable shot to a Free Appropriate Education. He is a rising 4th grader that reads and does math on kindergarten level; not because he cannot learn, though mainly due to his Education being hindered by school administrators that constantly put up roadblocks in his way.

You are probably asking yourself what we have done. Mom has obtain several Educational Advocates to assist her over the past four years, yet the school administrator refused to create and implement a meaningful IEP. Federal complaint was filed; however, it was put on hold because of limited staff in the Office of Civil Rights. Complaints were filed with the school district, though they were deferred to the State. State Complaints were filed, which they found the school in violation of FAPE. However, regarding Retaliatory action and sexual abuse they deferred the parent back to the Federal Government. However, the State Government found the school in Violation, yet there is nobody from the State holding the District accountable for their actions. While the Federal and State Government try to figure out this broken Education System; this traumatized, Autistic child is at a disadvantage being caught in the middle of it.

Our goal to fundraise would be $5,000, which would include transportation to/from the summer program for 3 weeks, Direct Systematic Orton-Gillingham Reading Instruction with a Reading Specialist, Math Instruction, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy in the morning portion of the camp. The afternoon portion of the camp will be swimming, athletic sports, and Arts and Craft. All proceeds will be directed to the student illustrated above.

An Excerpt from Mom

“Since my son has been in school we have been battling. At some points I’ve stopped fighting because it seems like no matter how much I advocate or fight, the school will still do what they want. Other times I muster up the strength to advocate and be my child’s voice for a better life. Those times are often short lived as I again feel defeated constantly.

I have said this for years, and I will continue to say it, if my household resembled what my son‘s classrooms have look like the last couple years, or if I would treat my kid the way staff treat my kid I would have multiple charges for endangering the welfare of a child and multiple child abuse charges.

But these things are not happening at home. These things are happening in his school where he is supposed to be safe and receiving an education. As a parent, I advocate. When I noticed that my advocating is not getting anywhere, I added more advocates. Things are still not changing. What more must happen? Does my child have to commit suicide? Does my child have to end up in prison? Does my child have to have a lack of education because the school is not doing their due diligence?”

No student in Delaware should have to endure this level of inequality in Education. No parent should be retaliated against for advocating for their child.”

All contributions are welcome, as it would greatly impact and assist this curious little learner.