Support Stephanie's Final Year in College

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. "— Nelson Mandela

My name is Stephanie, and I have never valued anything more than my education. It has been my light, my grounding force, and my motivation to keep going no matter what life throws at me. For me, education is more than a degree. It is a symbol of everything I have overcome and the future I am working hard to build for myself, my family, and my community. As a young woman born and raised in Haiti, I know that the opportunity to pursue higher education is a blessing, not something everyone in my home country has access to. If I were back home, I might not have had the opportunity to further my education as I have now. That truth never leaves me. It is what drives me, humbles me, and keeps me grounded through every challenge I face.

Being a first-generation college student and having to figure things out so often, asking for help has not been easy for me. However, I was reminded that it is okay to ask for help, and it is okay to not be okay. I guess this is my way of saying that I am tired. I have reached a point where I cannot do this alone anymore.

I will be entering my senior year this fall, and I am at the point where I need to figure out how I am going to make it through financially. In the past, I was able to balance school, work, and life responsibilities. I currently work part-time while also completing an internship focused on housing and social justice. On top of that, I remain actively engaged in my community, especially supporting immigrant families navigating complex systems. But lately, that balance has become harder to maintain, and it has been taking a toll on my well-being. I am doing everything I can, but the pressure is starting to feel like too much to carry on my own.

This fundraiser is to help me cover the tuition and school-related expenses that I need in order to finish my degree. I am so close to the end, and I would hate to see all the effort, time, and heart I have poured into this journey go to waste. I have come too far to stop now. I just need a little support to make it through this final stretch.

Once I graduate, I plan to continue working alongside immigrant communities through advocacy, policy work, and direct service. My education is not just for me; it is part of a bigger vision of justice, dignity, and access for people like my mother and others who have been overlooked and underserved for too long.

If you can support, whether through a donation or by sharing this, I would be incredibly grateful. Your support means more than I can put into words.

Funds will be used to cover tuition, books, and other expenses such as gas for my commute.