Invest in Detroiter Leah Jackson's Educational Journey

Hi Friends and Family,

I hope this message finds you very well. Today, I come to you with a vulnerable heart and a hopeful spirit, reaching out for your support in a journey that means everything to me.

My name is Leah Jackson, and I am a Junior at Central Michigan University looking to further my education as an Environmental Engineer. I’m a college student from the Westside of Detroit with big dreams and limited means. Ever since I was young, I've always harbored a passion for change for the environment, which sparked my passion for environmental engineering. I’ve always envisioned a future where I can make a meaningful impact in this world. I aspire to have a career as a Geotechnical engineer, a career where I'm able to protect the environment from hazards caused by soil formation. However, the road to realizing these dreams has been far from easy.

Growing up in the Westside of Detroit, my family has constantly faced many financial hardships that often made me question if higher education would ever be within my reach. I grew up in a low income household, the youngest of 4, where my parents had a difficult time with making ends meet and putting food on the table. A household where in high school, sometimes I had to choose between having bus fare to attend school that day or using that money towards my family having a meal to eat for dinner. The thought of a college fund wasn’t something that was feasible for my family as bills piled up for my parents. Fueled by determination and unwavering resolve, I pushed forward, knowing that education held the key to breaking free from the cycle of poverty that has gripped my family for generations. I want to create generational wealth for my future children and be the change that my community needs.

As I stand on the threshold of my college journey with 68 credits left, I find myself confronted by the harsh reality of financial strain. Despite working tirelessly 30- 40 hours a week part time at Home Depot, delivering for Doordash and Uber eats and securing as many scholarships as I could, the cost of tuition, textbooks, and living expenses continues to mount, threatening to derail the very dreams of becoming an environmental specialist I've worked so hard to nurture.

I've juggled multiple jobs, sacrificed sleep and leisure time, and even contemplated giving up on my education altogether. But deep down, I know that my dreams are worth fighting for – worth reaching out to you, my community, for help. Throughout my years at CMU, I've been involved in many organizations on campus such as the National Society of Black Engineering (NSBE) where I was able to do volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity and The African Student Association, where I performed as a dancer in their Annual Cultural Fashion show 3 years in a row. I am also a part of the Christ Central Choir where I had a space on campus to sing and become the Praise Dance Team captain. Last but not least, I am the current Vice President and former Treasurer of the Appeal Majorette Dance Team that often performs at CMU basketball games and events around campus like the Homecoming parade. This is only the beginning of what I want to do at CMU and only a glimpse of my potential as I enter adulthood. Central has truly become a second home to me and I don't want my situation to make this the end of the road for me.

Your support can make all the difference. With your generous contribution, you're not just helping me pay for tuition or buy textbooks; you're investing in the future of an environmental engineer filled with endless possibilities – a future where I can pursue my passions, contribute and give back to my society, and inspire others to reach for their own dreams.

Every dollar, every share, and every word of encouragement brings me one step closer to obtaining my aspirations. Together, we can prove that barriers like financial hardship should never stand in the way of someone's potential and education.

I am humbly asking for your support on this journey. Please consider donating to my GoFundMe campaign and sharing it with your community. Your kindness, compassion, and belief in me mean more than words can express.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting my dreams. With your help, I know that I can overcome any obstacle and turn my aspirations into reality.

With deepest gratitude and heartfelt sincerity,

Leah Jackson