There are some students you never forget, and this person, even though she was one of my first students, is near the top of that list for me.

I still remember when she came to me after one of my colleagues basically told her that she would never amount to anything.

This student has long since proven that colleague wrong, just like I knew she would.

She thrived after joining the debate team, and since graduating in 2017, she has done everything right—she went to school, started a career, and spent years caring for her aging grandparents before they passed away. Her dedication to her family and her community has always inspired me.

But this past summer, everything changed. After her grandparents passed, a family dispute over their estate led to her and her mom being evicted with just a few days’ notice. They’ve been living out of a hotel ever since, unable to afford even the cheapest studio apartments in Chicago and struggling to make ends meet. Despite their best efforts, the cost of temporary housing and daily expenses has become overwhelming, and they are in urgent need of support.

They have a court date scheduled for later this month that will hopefully resolve the estate issues and finally provide them with what they are owed. Until then, they need a little help crossing the finish line.

Particularly with the holidays around the corner, if you can find it in your heart to donate to this family, it would really mean a lot to them and to me. Every little bit helps, and your support can make a real difference in their lives right now.