Help Mama Mel Achieve Her Educational Dreams

She’s been there for us. Now it’s our turn to show up!

Because Mama Mel is going back to school!

It may come as a surprise, but our beloved Melanie Funchess (known to many as Mama Mel) didn’t finish her undergraduate studies when she was younger. Life, family concerns, limited finances and community service took her away from that path and directly into the path of becoming a community healer. So, while she has incredible lived experience in being a Village Healer, Advocate and Mentor, she wants to go back and complete her studies.

Financial limitations, however, still stand in the way. She has been accepted into Howard University’s online program, but that still costs about $20K per year.

If your experience is like mine, you know that anything Mama Mel learns is going to be poured right back into this community. And so while this is an investment in Melanie’s education, this is an investment in our community!

This initiative seeks to help her pay for at least the first year (and beyond) so that she can focus on her studies AND keep working here in our community (without having to take on significant debt).

Mama Mel has been there for so many of us over the years. She has supported this community and shown up at some of the most difficult times. Now it’s on us to show up for her.