I'm organizing this fundraiser for Monique Allen, a Chicago high school senior whose family I know through youth programming in their community.

Monique is an incredibly bright and talented young woman. She just graduated on the honor roll with a 4.3 GPA. In addition to her studies, Monique served as president of her school's Black Student Union, class president, and a member of the robotics club. She excelled in all of these activities while working a part time job and earning an associate's degree in business. To say we are proud of her is an understatement!

In recognition of her achievements, Monique has been accepted on a full ride to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Monique would be the first in her family to graduate college, which is incredibly exciting. It will also mean a big change for her whole family, especially since she will be so far away; Monique's extended family all live in Chicago.

To ease this transition, Monique's mother and twin sister would love to go with her for move-in day. Even though Monique has committed to Whitman, her family has not seen the campus yet, and going with her would help everyone prepare for Monique's absence. Her mom is worried about having her a flight away, and her twin sister Monae has an intellectual disability and struggles with big changes. This is the first time the twins will be apart, which is a major transition for Monique's whole family. Going together to see the place and get Monique settled in will ease the burden on all of them and provide some peace of mind.

Travel to Walla Walla is expensive-- it's two hours from the nearest major airport in Spokane, so a rental car is needed, and her mom will need to take off work to go. In order to make this a possibility, we are helping the family crowdfund for travel for the three of them in August. We are hoping to raise $2650 in total, to cover:

- 3 roundtrip flights from Chicago to Spokane (~$1200)

- a rental car for 5 days (~$450)

- accommodations for 5 days (~$750-1000 at a nearby hotel)

This is exactly the kind of expense that is hard to get funded through college access programs or other grants, because it would not be considered absolutely necessary. But that doesn't make it any less important. This trip will help to offset the alienation that first generation college students like Monique often feel on their new campuses, and be a huge help to Monique and her loved ones. Monique deserves to have just as much family support with her move-in as her peers.

We hope you'll join us in celebrating Monique and setting her family up for success!