Hi, my name is Jessica. I have been working on obtaining my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am the first in my family to go to college and the road has not been the easiest. I have a passion to help others, more specifically my goal is to work with youth, military veterans, and the tribal community, once I am completed with school. I just finished my practicum and will be starting my internship on July 29th. From July 29th to December 22nd I will be putting in 50 hours at my job which is also my intern site however I do not get paid for my 30 hours of internship each week, meaning I am losing half of my pay each pay period for those 5 months.

I have been told to take out a loan or get a second job. Taking out a loan and putting my family in more debt in this economy is just not an option, we can not afford to add a bill to bills that we are already concerned about paying during this next 5 months. As far as a second job, I currently am working from 7:30am-6pm Monday through Friday but start my Wednesdays at 3am due to having to meet with my class for 2 hours every morning prior to heading to work/my site. I did try to work a part time job in the evenings/weekends but that caused my body so much stress I ended up in the hospital with heart issues and seeing a cardiologist so that is also not an option.

I do not like having to ask for help but I feel that I am at the point that help is needed. I know that this economy sucks and everyone is struggling but I ask that you share this and help in any way possible, this money will go towards our rent, power, and groceries.