Hi everyone,

I’m raising funds on behalf of a very close friend from college who is navigating an incredibly difficult and stressful transition through no fault of her own.

She is a Somali immigrant, a recent college graduate, and currently lives in New York City. After graduating, she began working legally under Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a field she has worked extremely hard to build a career in. Unfortunately, her initial work authorization expired, and while her new authorization is currently pending processing, she is not legally allowed to work during this gap.

Due to ongoing USCIS processing delays affecting applicants from certain countries, there is no clear timeline for when her authorization will be approved. As a result, she has been left without income despite fully following every legal step of the immigration process. Meanwhile, she still has rent, utilities, groceries, and other basic living expenses to cover in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

The goal of this fundraiser is to help her raise $2,500 while she waits for her work authorization to be resolved or prepares to transition out of the city. This support will allow her to remain housed, stable, and focused during an incredibly stressful and uncertain time.

She is hardworking, responsible, and deeply motivated. This situation is temporary, but the financial strain is very real.

Funds raised will go directly toward:

Rent and utilities

Groceries and transportation

Basic living expenses

Any amount makes a meaningful difference, and even sharing this page helps more than you know. Thank you so much for taking the time to read, support, and show care during a really vulnerable time.

Thank you