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Help Relocate for New Job

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My name is Ashley and I am 26 years old. Born and raised in Wisconsin. Multiple Bachelor's degrees. Fluent in multiple languages. Backgound in Psychology, Education, and Law. I'm a lover of penguins. Now that you know a little about me, I would like to explain my situation and request that you find it in your heart to assist me in reaching my dreams.

I was offered a position at Tilden Preparatory School in Walnut Creek, California teaching American Sign Language and Deaf Studies for Summer 2017 from June 12th-August 18th. If all goes well, they would like to offer me a year-round position. I would be paid $34/hr, working 40+ hours each week. That's almost $70,000 per year for a salary. Besides the money, this is a career I have only dreamed of.

Tilden is a private, college preparatory school for grades 6-12. This is a unique school for many reasons and my accpeting the position means that I will be working with accomplished faculty from places like Harvard, Yale, former NASA engineers, and other similar individuals. Overall, this is an incredible opportunity for me. I accepted the position! I can't wait to start a new life.

After college, I struggled to find employment in Wisconsin. Besides a start-up business, income was nothing. I have been applying for jobs left and right and most of the positions I find don't match my high educational achievements. Some people are hesitant to hire me because I am deaf; I feel so stuck. I am currently on Food Assistance programs, have Low Income Insurance, and I am months behind on bills. I am barely getting by. This Winter I have had to keep heat between 45 and 50 degrees. As I write this, I literally have $11 in my checking account. I have no income coming in.

I plan to see if I can donate plasma to earn some money. I will utilize any and every resource at my disposal, but ultimately I will need help relocating. Without some financial assistance relating to California, I will never be able to accept this job position, and if I cannot accept this job position, then I will remain in poverty.

My time to secure financial assistance is limited, as I was asked to be there by June 6, 2017 at the very latest. I have about 2 months to put everything together, maybe even less time.

I am requesting assistance for these expenses:

1. Physically getting to California $1,000
2. Down payment on a place to stay/1st month's rent $2,500
3. Housing accomodation/hotel while securing permanant housing $500
4. Utilities and Internet for the 1st month: $800
5. Transportation $1,000
TOTAL: $5,800

Please, please help me achieve my dreams.
Help me help myself to build a better life.

I’m facing two wildly different paths. If this doesn’t work, I’ll likely end up on government assistance, probably below the poverty line for years to come. Not because I want to, but because I’ll have no other option. If I can make it to California, thanks to your generosity and your willingness to contribute, I’ll be what everyone hopes to be: a working, productive member of society, and more, a force for positive change in the lives all my students at Tilden Prep School. I’ll never forget your generosity or your name.

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    Organizer

    Ashley Kristen Letourneau
    Organizer
    Manitowoc, WI

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