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Over the years, I have gained the title "Mama Shafer". God has blessed me with many children outside of my bloodline, and Otis Burns is one of these kids. He is like a son to me, and a brother to my kids. His story is absolutely inspiring. To make a long story short, while honoring and respecting Otis by not giving all the details of his past, this young man has overcome adversity beyond belief. Despite the hardship he has faced at such a young age, he has handled it all with grace and a smile. Last year he was awarded a FULL scholarship to Northeastern University. The Torch Scholarship is for first generation college students, and is a complete scholarship including tuition, room, and board. The school gave Otis notice last Monday that they were cutting funding to his scholarship and it will no longer include room and board. While some students can go home and do remote learning, Otis does not have a place to call home. THIS kid deserves an education, THIS kid is one we fight for to succeed in life. PLEASE help us bless him with OPPORTUNITY. My heart is breaking for Otis and the possibility that he may have to walk away from this education that he has worked so incredibly hard for these last several years. Here is just a little bio on Otis and why he was awarded this scholarship in the first place:
Otis was born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS but moved his junior year to Greensboro, NC where he finished up high school at Northern Guilford High. Otis is known to be an advocate of social justice and change in his community. While living in Greensboro, he joined the Greensboro Youth Council where he was the volunteer coordinator for their annual Goulash Children's Festival. While at Northern, Otis also became President of his Senior Class and Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he was able to provide a voice for those in his class who did not feel as though they had one. He also started a guys’ small group for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes where accountability and the importance of brotherhood were taught. Otis plans to have a combined major in Political Science and International Affairs with a concentration in International Diplomacy. With these majors, he wants to become an international lawyer for victims of sex trafficking to call attention to this everyday issue that goes unnoticed in the black community and abroad.
Otis is currently seeking to work with the International Justice Mission (IJM) to help stop Human Trafficking. He aspires to go to Law School at Columbia, eventually become a Congressman or Senator, and use his position as a platform to advocate for laws/policies that help halt the progression of modern day slavery. (I love how he dreams big!)
This kid is a World Changer y'all and I would love for my circle to be able to say that they made a difference in this young man's life. He is not the type to ask for help or take a handout. He works SO hard, and is disheartened that his school would take away funding that was earned and promised.
No amount is too small, and every share of this page on social media counts. I will be forever grateful for your prayers for Otis and the gifts that you are able to send! Should you be interested in hearing more about Otis' story, please reach out to me personally.
All my love to friends and family,
Linda Shafer
Otis was born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS but moved his junior year to Greensboro, NC where he finished up high school at Northern Guilford High. Otis is known to be an advocate of social justice and change in his community. While living in Greensboro, he joined the Greensboro Youth Council where he was the volunteer coordinator for their annual Goulash Children's Festival. While at Northern, Otis also became President of his Senior Class and Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he was able to provide a voice for those in his class who did not feel as though they had one. He also started a guys’ small group for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes where accountability and the importance of brotherhood were taught. Otis plans to have a combined major in Political Science and International Affairs with a concentration in International Diplomacy. With these majors, he wants to become an international lawyer for victims of sex trafficking to call attention to this everyday issue that goes unnoticed in the black community and abroad.
Otis is currently seeking to work with the International Justice Mission (IJM) to help stop Human Trafficking. He aspires to go to Law School at Columbia, eventually become a Congressman or Senator, and use his position as a platform to advocate for laws/policies that help halt the progression of modern day slavery. (I love how he dreams big!)
This kid is a World Changer y'all and I would love for my circle to be able to say that they made a difference in this young man's life. He is not the type to ask for help or take a handout. He works SO hard, and is disheartened that his school would take away funding that was earned and promised.
No amount is too small, and every share of this page on social media counts. I will be forever grateful for your prayers for Otis and the gifts that you are able to send! Should you be interested in hearing more about Otis' story, please reach out to me personally.
All my love to friends and family,
Linda Shafer
Organizer
Linda Shafer
Organizer
Summerfield, NC