Support Yalies on leave or withdrawal

UPDATE November 2022: Elis for Rachael Inc has obtained 501c3 nonprofit status! Donations are now tax deductible. You will need to include, at minimum, City, State, and email for a donation receipt.

UPDATE April 2022: ~$8450 in funds distributed out of ~$9700 raised total (including ~$1450 funds raised outside of GoFundMe). ~$5750 of this has gone towards helping two Yale college students on mental health withdrawal pay for the required outside coursework for their reinstatement application. The remaining has gone towards rent and basic living cost assistance for two other students on withdrawal. As of April 1st, 2022, Yale announced they would eliminate the coursework requirement for most students on medical withdrawal, including mental health withdrawal! This unfair policy has been in place for decades, and we are excited to see Yale making substantive changes. Much work remains. 

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WE FIGHT. So no student has to choose between their financial stability and their mental health. 

Rachael Shaw-Rosenbaum, at just under 5 feet, was a big personality. She sang show tunes loudly without shame, and dreamed of working for the ACLU. When she was 11, she became the youngest member of the Anchorage Youth Court. To her, a world with more justice was a world worth fighting for. 

Rachael struggled with depression in her first two terms at Yale. In March of 2021, Rachael died by suicide at age 18.  

In honor of Rachael, who was always looking out for the next kid, we are asking for funds to help Yale students who are currently withdrawn or on leave of absence in order to take care of their mental health.

There are Yale students who need help now, at a critical time in their lives. 

If a student withdraws from Yale because they are, for example, severely depressed and suicidal, they are required to pack up their belongings quickly and are removed from university resources, health insurance, and the support system they have built on campus. 

Some find themselves couch surfing, struggling for stable housing. Others have the basics covered but therapy costs are a hardship with no health insurance outside of Yale. Still others cannot easily afford the two college classes required for re-admission in the case of a withdrawal (see UPDATE above!). Yale admits a diverse group of students. Not all come from two parent households, not all come from high income households, and not all come from households where psychiatric treatment is accepted. 

All money donated to this GoFundMe go directly to Yale students currently withdrawn or on leave to cover basic living costs, therapy / medical costs, and classes for readmission. We are a group made up of Rachael’s loved ones and Yale alumni. 

Sincerely, 

Elis for Rachael  

www.elisforrachael.org

Alicia Floyd - JE '05

Rishi Mirchandani - MC '19

Lily Dorman Colby - MC '10

Paul Mange Johansen - ES ‘88

Crystal Astrachan - ES ‘04

Zack Dugue 

Hanna Dugue

LeeAnna Dugue