Hey yall. I am at the end of my rope. Berkeley still has not released Summer financial aid and all of the money from my most recent job has gone to a down payment on a new used car after my old used 2001 gave out at over 200,000 miles and I was forced to ride the bus every
day to my 9-5 job in spite of my chronic injury from my past hit-and-run collision with an 18-wheeler.

Even the financial aid I will receive from Berkeley will not be enough to sustain me without applying for federal food assistance.
Even worse, my mother is at the beginning of a work injury case with Amazon meaning she has a 40% reduction in pay and a highly
uncertain future considering that her role as a warehouse worker at Amazon has led to tears in both of her shoulder muscles -
incapacitating her from work without surgery.

A UHaul to move the few essentials I can fit into a California bedroom will cost $2000. My financial aid from Berkeley will at least cover 
tuition and California rent, but I will have to sacrifice money meant for other costs of living in order to maintain my monthly $315 car
payments.

This is how poverty traps people. I feel so stupid for having ever dreamt. I feel so weak for being tired of fighting but I have fought all my
life. This is too great a burden for me to bear and I am simply asking for your help whether it is a donation or a share. 

Your generosity will be a driving force in me realizing my dreams.

https://news.utdallas.edu/students-teaching/epps-grad-inspiration-story-2021/

https://www.fox4news.com/news/utd-student-hurt-in-hit-and-run-wants-to-meet-18-wheeler-driver 

Ultimately, I want my work to lead to better educational outcomes for overlooked students (like me) by empowering students to recognize themselves and their communities as abundant sources of knowledge and resilience. Following the completion of my M.A. and Secondary Social Studies credential, I plan to immediately begin my career as a high school social studies teacher within a diverse, urban school. Completing this master’s program will make it possible for me to work toward that goal.

All love. Best Regards.