Help Camden Student Break the Cycle Through Graduate School

My name is Natalie Sirignano, and I’m writing this on behalf of Keith Hurst, who is very important to my family and I. Keith has a story of resilience in the face of adversity. Growing up in Camden, New Jersey - one of America’s most challenging cities - he has witnessed community violence and experienced the harsh realities of deep poverty firsthand. Despite these obstacles, Keith continues to persevere, earning his undergraduate degree in accounting and getting accepted into graduate school. Now, he needs your help to take the final step towards changing his life.

Living in Camden meant navigating dangerous streets and limited opportunities. While many of his childhood friends fell victim to the cycle of violence and poverty, he focused on his education, believing it was his pathway to a better future. Through dedication and determination, he earned his undergraduate degree while working multiple jobs to support himself.

Throughout his undergraduate journey, Keith has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to his community. As a first-generation student and Educational Opportunity Fund scholar, he has blazed a trail not just for himself, but for others following in his footsteps. His impact on campus has been remarkable - serving as the office manager at the multicultural center, where he managed their budget, coordinated numerous inclusive events, and led staff through regular meetings. His dedication to creating an inclusive campus environment saw him organizing events that brought together students from diverse backgrounds, managing the distribution of meals across campus, and maintaining a safe space for all students.

Keith's leadership extended beyond the multicultural center. As Co-President of Brothers Making a Difference (BMAD), he manages an executive board of five people, has recruited over 30 new members, and coordinated multiple campus events. Previously serving as a member of both BMAD and Men Achieving Student Success Together (MAST), Keith has consistently shown his dedication to student leadership. His commitment to helping others succeed shone through in his role as a Summer Success Mentor for the EOF Office, where he mentored over ten students, created community-building events, and provided academic support to help new students adjust to campus life.

Today, Keith stands at a crucial crossroads. Due to the stipulations of funding graduate degrees, his on-campus housing, which has provided a safe, stable environment over the last 4 years, is at risk. While he’s been accepted into graduate school - a tremendous achievement - he’s still faced with the potential to return back to the challenging environment that threatens to hold him back. The negative influences and instability of his home environment in Camden would create detrimental obstacles to his studies, safety, and personal growth.

What Your Donation Will Support

Your contribution will help cover on-campus housing costs during his graduate studies. Living on campus will provide:

Why this Matters

Breaking the cycle of poverty isn’t just about individual success - it’s about creating ripple effects that benefit entire communities. Your support will help transform one person’s life, but its impact will extend much further. As a graduate degree holder from Camden, he’ll be positioned to:

Every donation, no matter the size, brings him one step closer to achieving his dreams and breaking free from the cycle of poverty and community violence. The donations will be given to Keith to fund his on-campus housing this coming January. Your generosity today will help write the next chapter of his inspiring journey from the dangerous streets of Camden to the halls of higher education.

Thank you for considering supporting this life-changing campaign. Please share this campaign with others who believe in the power of education to transform lives.