Help Lauren Learn to Code

You may know Lauren Perchitti as a funloving and carefree individual, and as an adventurous friend. She is incredibly hard-working, positive, and humble. But did you know that she aspires to be a Software Engineer?

As many of you know, Lauren hates talking about herself. That's where I come in! Hi, I'm Lily, Lauren's girlfriend, here to tell you that Lauren wants to go back to school, but she needs your help.

The past year has brought about a lot of growth and change for Lauren, and she has discovered a new found passion for software engineering. She was recently accepted into the Flatiron School for coding, and was awarded a partial scholarship. In spite of this wonderful news, she still needs some financial support to make this career shift a reality. (Unfortunately, the school does not allow scholarships to be combined.)

In spite of her ever-sunny attitude, Lauren hasn't grown up in the easiest circumstances. She is an LGBT woman, the daughter of a single mother, and has overcome some deeply challenging family struggles to get to where she is today. She has not had the benefit of privileges such as abundant opportunities, scholastic support and guidance that many of us know. Yet Lauren has refused to allow adversity to deter her from taking risks and pursuing her goals. I am immensely proud of her for taking this leap towards a proud future of her own making, and even more so in the absence of any financial safety net.

In combination with her scholarship, your contribution would permit her to take this otherewise cost-prohibitive coursework. As someone who loves her and knows her well, I can tell you confidently that Lauren is committed to starting this new chapter. This opportunity would mean the world to her. She doesn't ask for much, and as the consummate team player she is more than deserving. Having your support (in whatever form: $$, hugs, tutoring sessions, laughs) would be the best gift she could imagine. 

As Lauren would say, "You're already at no, so you might as well ask!"

Whether you know Lauren personally or not, I encourage you to support her as representative of many systemically-disadvantaged communities in our country: whether it be as the child of a single parent, as the child of an incarcerated parent, as an LGBTQIA individual, or as a woman in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). 

Thanks for your time, love, and support! Please feel free to share.

Love,
Lily