Lilith has been accepted to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for their college career, pursuing Fashion Design. The photos above are from Lilith's first professional fashion collection, which was included in the Phoenix Garment League’s Phoenix Swim Week Fashion Show. It has been a busy summer of creation and college prep, and we are now in the homestretch to their Chicago relocation for the upcoming school year.

To say we are proud of Lily is an extraordinary understatement. So why are we here?

Most people know that when Lilith was 10 years old, their Tia Cyndi died in a tragic traffic accident. Cyndi's life insurance policy was paid out, and Lily's money was put into a locked bank account that was court ordered to be untouched until Lily turned 18. While Lily was also prepping for the fashion show this summer, we have spent extensive time attempting to release those funds. Securing legal documents, bank account numbers, balances, statements, etc.-- all in an attempt to get to the point that we can request the release-- has been an ordeal of it’s own, and has not yet been successful. Lily has a flight to Chicago (and college) on 8/21/25, with nearly no money available to them. Now we have learned that the court system is putting a further obstacle in front of Lilith; in order to file the paperwork to unlock the bank account, there is an unexpected fee somewhere between $300 and $750.

Our family is working with one income at this time, and we simply aren’t in a position to take on these fees without significantly increasing debt being incurred. Long story short: our girl needs your emotional and financial support, and they need it NOW. We are looking to secure the final items for Lilith’s college send-off: the Art Institute requires a specific MacBook and Lily would like to buy XL twin sheets for their dorm bed, for example. GoFund Me is a good way to get the story out, you are welcome to be in touch directly with Jessica, Nick, or Lily.

We appreciate our community so very much. Thank you for showing up for this incredibly special person. We love you all.

If you are able to assist, we would greatly appreciate the help.