Greetings,


Thank you so much for taking the time to share and donate my fundraiser.  I just have a bit more to go to reach my goal.


As an update: I have finally left the emergency housing unit provided to me by UC Berkeley. After a year of dealing with an abusive roommate, both I and my partner have managed to relocate to a safe space in the East Bay Area.


Who I am: I am a transfer student studying Sociology at UC Berkeley. Previously I was a student at Napa Valley College before I graduated and transferred to Cal. As a student at Cal I have continued to succeed academically despite the odds. This includes being a McNair and Haas Scholar and doing advocacy as a student leader as a board member of Spectrum: Autism at Cal.


My goals: I hope to apply to graduate school this fall to earn a Ph.D. so that I may continue my research on the sociology of disability, neurodiversity, and autism.  To achieve this I need some additional help due to the damages caused by my previous housing crisis. Any money raised from this account will go to cover the lost deposit and help pay for rent and foods costs.

I'm not alone in housing insecurity -- so many students have to decide if they pay for their books, or their rent or food.  People may not think of students as lacking secure housing, but this is the reality for a number of students from low-income backgrounds. 

Thank you all for your time. Please share this GoFundMe on your pages to help me out. I would really appreciate whatever help you can give me.


Best wishes,

Esperanza Padilla