Help Joy Complete Her Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Hello, my name is Joy Whitmore, and I am currently a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) student at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. I am reaching out with humility and hope, asking for your support as I work toward completing a lifelong dream.

Why I Need Your Help

I am only $10,000 away from finishing my program. Unfortunately, after exhausting every option, federal loans, private loans, scholarships, and appeals, I have been denied further funding due to credit challenges and a past bankruptcy. Without this final amount, I cannot register for my remaining courses, and my dream of completing my doctorate by 2026 will be put on hold indefinitely.

My Story

I am a social worker at heart because I’ve lived the reality of what it means to fall through the cracks of broken systems. Growing up in foster care after my grandmother passed when I was 16 years old, I learned early what resilience meant, and I worked tirelessly to excel after aging out of the system. That lived experience has shaped my profession and my purpose: advocating for individuals and families who faulty social systems have unjustly impacted.

This degree is also deeply personal. It is dedicated to my grandmother, who loved our community fiercely and showed me that even in the face of pain, we can choose to heal through love and truth. Every page I write, every survivor I advocate for, every vision I cast for systemic change is grounded in her legacy.

My Mission

My doctoral research and capstone project focus on addressing internalized shame among African American women who are survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). My work examines the intersections of race, gender, income, and sexual orientation, while creating culturally grounded, trauma-informed interventions to heal and empower marginalized women.

I have partnered with local organizations to certify that my work is not just academic, but deeply rooted in community healing and justice.

Why This Matters

This degree is not just about me. It represents:

Representation: More Black women are in academia, and leadership is in social work.

Systemic Change: Challenging racial inequities in mental health and IPV services.

Community Empowerment: Equipping survivors with culturally responsive tools for healing and resilience.

Future Generations: My dream is to teach, write, and mentor the next generation of social workers, ensuring that marginalized voices remain at the center of practice and policy.

How You Can Help

Your donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward tuition and fees to help me complete my program. Together, we can ensure this journey does not end because of financial hardship.

$50 = Contributes toward course materials

$100 = Helps cover tuition for one credit hour

$500 = Provides partial tuition support for a course

$1,000+ = Moves me significantly closer to completing this degree

Final Thoughts

This is more than just a degree; it is my life’s calling. I often remind myself: “Education is not just about personal advancement, it’s about collective liberation.”

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign. With your support, I can take these final steps and walk across the stage, not just for me but also for my grandmother, my community, and the women and children I serve every day.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

– Joy Whitmore, MSSW, CSW