Help Dany Acosta, Blind Masters Student! :)
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Who am I?
My name is Francisco Daniel Acosta, and although completely blind, I humbly seek your help in funding my Master’s degree in Social Work at Salem State University (SSU).
Originally from Mexico, I am a thirty-year-old nationwide motivational speaker and evangelist, advocate, community organizer, and the Mentorship Coordinator of the Lynn FRC, where I mentor youth at risk. I have shared my story across the US on overcoming: homelessness, various challenges, terminal kidney failure, a stroke, two seizures, given three months of life and having my eyes removed. In September 2019, after five and a half years of dialysis, God blessed me with a kidney transplant thanks to Cyrus Lavers.
In 2021, I was the commencement speaker honors graduate with a BSW, and successfully advocated for students as the Committee for Equitable Transportation President.
Why do I need money?
In May 2021, I deferred my graduate school acceptance to May 2022 due to being a Dreamer. Quite literally, I am a DACA recipient, making me ineligible for any government assistance or student loans. My AA and BSW were funded by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, but tightening immigration policies restricted their financial assistance. The funds I scraped from mentoring and empowering immigrants to fulfill their American dreams through free and affordable English classes help me pay for bills and rent, but does not suffice for a graduate program.
My mom is unemployed due to her immigration status, but volunteers at our local church, and my sister works fulltime to pay off her schooling and help pay bills and rent.
How much money do I need?
Advanced Standing Full Time Program Finances breakdown at SSU: $486 per credit, 44 credits
Summer - $7,290 | 15 credits
Fall - $6,318 | 13 credits
Spring - $7,776 | 16 credits
Supplies, Transportation and Other Expenses: $3,616
Total: $25,000
I may be blind, but I have vision for life! A vision of finishing my MSW to further advocate for equitable career, technology and transportation opportunities for people with disabilities.
Please join and donate, every dollar you donate counts! If you cannot donate, please share this campaign with your friends and families. I promise that your help will be honored and memorable for my family and all the lives who will be impacted throughout my career.
Thank you and God bless you!!!
NSCC 2018 Commencement Speech:
SSU 2021 Commencement Speech:
My YouTube Channel “Dany Acosta Official”, where I share visual impairment awareness, motivational and poetic videos:
Organizer
Dany Acosta
Organizer
Lynn, MA
