Help Junaina Finish Her Degree & Fight Housing Injustice

Hi there, my name is Junaina, and I’m reaching out for support to help me finish my college degree. I’m only 16 credits away from graduating with a degree in Urban Planning at Arizona State University, but I need help paying off my $8,000 tuition balance to continue my education.

Why This Matters

I grew up in a family that came to America in the late 90s as asylum seekers after assisting German and American allies in Kurdistan. My parents arrived with dreams of a better life, only to realize that survival meant putting their education on hold to work multiple jobs. They sacrificed their dreams so their children could have opportunities they never had, always encouraging us to strive for a better future.

Their resilience inspired me to work hard. I graduated high school with a 3.4 GPA and have fought every step of the way to make my family and myself proud. But like them, I have faced my own struggles—especially when it comes to housing instability.

Why Urban Planning?

I know firsthand how unstable housing affects families. Growing up, we were displaced multiple times. Our neighborhood in West Seattle was bulldozed for mixed-income housing, forcing hundreds of families—including mine—to relocate. Later, when we finally moved into a home we loved, we were forced out again after the owners discovered our background and religion.

The housing crisis in America is personal to me. I’ve seen how zoning laws and urban development choices disproportionately impact low-income and refugee families. That’s why I want to be part of the solution. With a degree in Urban Planning, I want to help reform housing policies so no child has to grow up constantly moving, feeling like home is temporary.

Why I Need Your Help

I have worked hard to get where I am, but I can’t do it alone. My tuition balance is preventing me from registering for my final classes and finishing my degree. I never thought I would ask for financial help, but I’ve realized that sometimes, it’s okay to ask for support when it’s for something bigger than yourself.

By donating, you’re not just helping me graduate—you’re helping me become a professional who will fight for housing justice and ensure that no child grows up without a stable home.

How You Can Help

Any amount helps—whether it’s $5, $50, or simply sharing this fundraiser. Your support brings me closer to achieving my goal and making a real difference in housing policies that affect families like mine.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you can donate or share, you are helping me turn my family’s sacrifices into something meaningful for the future.