Wayne's College Tuition Assistance
Donation protected
My name is Wayne A. Rodriquez Jr., and I am currently a junior studying political science and public relations & strategic communications at American University in Washington, D.C. I am also the son of my father, Wayne A. Rodriquez Sr.
The holiday season is finally here. Unfortunately, this year won't be as joyful as usual.
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, my family and I unexpectedly lost my father. In the early hours of the morning, while getting ready for work, he experienced a massive coronary heart attack. He was only 54 years old.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, my father's life revolved around pursuing the modern American dream. He is a unique individual as he did not succumb to the environment he grew into. Several opportunities throughout his early years developed him into the man he grew into, such as attending All Hallows High School in the Bronx (private all-male Catholic school) and earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Being disciplined did not mean he wasn't a fun guy. He would tell me about the times of being a freestyle DJ and his admiration for cars –particularly the Pontiac Grand National – and the drag races he and his friends would have in Yonkers.
He made a quiet impact on every individual he met. As a CT state patrol officer at a mental health facility, drug tester, and security coordinator at a rehabilitation facility, he built relationships with patients and supported their efforts for a full recovery. Being a prominent member of multiple labor unions, he fought for improving the wages, pensions, and benefits provided to his fellow coworkers. He contributed to society by donating several bags of old clothing – even donating our vehicles to Kars4Kids.
My father was an exceptional man who sustained our family. He was a hard worker, balancing two full-time jobs during the week and part-time on the weekend. Spending hours on the clock, he devoted his time to ensure we had a roof over our heads, food on the plate, and supporting my future endeavors. Unfortunately, it took the ultimate toll of his life. On average, he would get no more than two hours of sleep per day, only to continue working around the clock. His passing defines the results of pursuing the modern American dream.
Given how he lived to work, it ultimately affected our relationship throughout the years, especially when I was a young child. Knowing how it affected me, he was always optimistic about the future. Now that I am much older and on the cusp of retirement, he looked forward to planning several activities that we were never able to do. From traveling across the country to visit my half-sisters and dozens of cousins I have (HUGE extended family), to hiking and camping in upstate Connecticut, or teaching me about how to DJ, it meant a lot to him. For me, it was the start of new beginnings – being the only prominent male role model in my life, I felt reassured that I would have finally a proactive father.
Now, our virtue of a new profound relationship cannot be attained. Since his passing, the air I breathe has become dense. Never again will I hear his keys jingle as he opened the front door returning his 5 p.m. daytime shift or leaving for his 10 p.m. night shift. Never again will we take our trips down to Seaside Heights, NJ and ride the rolling waves in the exhausting midsummer heat. Never again will we go together to the Bronx and get the best Jamaican beef patties in the tri-state area. Never again could I call him on a whim late at night just for old time's sake. We will never go to a bar to celebrate my 21st birthday. These small moments highlighted the building blocks of our father-son relationship and its instant demise. It truly devastates me.
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As my father was the primary source of household income, his loss has transformed every part of my life. For instance, household expenses have become unsustainable for my mother. Currently, she is working in a high school cafeteria, receiving a meager income incomparable to what my father earned. Likewise, she lacks a high school and college education and cannot pursue a higher income job. Her meager income, combined with Connecticut’s high cost-of-living, has left her no other option but to apply for SNAP benefits and contemplate how to balance current bills on our house and other living expenses.
One key issue that concerns me is the very real possibility of not being able to complete education here at American, as my father controlled my educational funds. Now, my Parent PLUS loans are canceled for next semester, and my school's financial aid office only covered a small portion of what is due for the upcoming semester. While I would have attempted to use my mother for Parent PLUS loans, her credit is in dire shape and is currently in the process of declaring bankruptcy. Her applying only granted a minimal amount of cash for the next semester. Similarly, my father had no long-term savings at the time of his death. It was depressing to discover how a man who worked over 100+ hours a week had little to no available funds in his accounts.
It was not an easy ride getting to this position as a number of previous, traumatic life events have challenged my future endeavors. I applied here as an Early Decision I student for a reason: I knew this University was a perfect fit. To this day, being accepted here has been one of my biggest accomplishments and has greatly benefited my life. From the professors I have met to the AU community itself, I love everything about this University. I could not be more grateful for the opportunities and experiences AU has provided to me over the past couple of years.
I hope you will consider helping me in easing the financial burden facing my family and grant the aid needed to pay my tuition the upcoming semester. My father worked the way he did in order to watch me succeed, investing in my future. I grew into the man I am today so that one day I could give back not only to my community but to him and my family. Without him around, now is your chance to assist me and make this possible. My father’s dream was for me to complete my education successfully. Unfortunately, now he will never see me graduate.
Please give the gift of education by contributing to my next college semester. Any amount donated brings me one step closer toward making my father proud of me successfully graduating from college.
Thank you,
Wayne R.
The holiday season is finally here. Unfortunately, this year won't be as joyful as usual.
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, my family and I unexpectedly lost my father. In the early hours of the morning, while getting ready for work, he experienced a massive coronary heart attack. He was only 54 years old.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, my father's life revolved around pursuing the modern American dream. He is a unique individual as he did not succumb to the environment he grew into. Several opportunities throughout his early years developed him into the man he grew into, such as attending All Hallows High School in the Bronx (private all-male Catholic school) and earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Being disciplined did not mean he wasn't a fun guy. He would tell me about the times of being a freestyle DJ and his admiration for cars –particularly the Pontiac Grand National – and the drag races he and his friends would have in Yonkers.
He made a quiet impact on every individual he met. As a CT state patrol officer at a mental health facility, drug tester, and security coordinator at a rehabilitation facility, he built relationships with patients and supported their efforts for a full recovery. Being a prominent member of multiple labor unions, he fought for improving the wages, pensions, and benefits provided to his fellow coworkers. He contributed to society by donating several bags of old clothing – even donating our vehicles to Kars4Kids.
My father was an exceptional man who sustained our family. He was a hard worker, balancing two full-time jobs during the week and part-time on the weekend. Spending hours on the clock, he devoted his time to ensure we had a roof over our heads, food on the plate, and supporting my future endeavors. Unfortunately, it took the ultimate toll of his life. On average, he would get no more than two hours of sleep per day, only to continue working around the clock. His passing defines the results of pursuing the modern American dream.
Given how he lived to work, it ultimately affected our relationship throughout the years, especially when I was a young child. Knowing how it affected me, he was always optimistic about the future. Now that I am much older and on the cusp of retirement, he looked forward to planning several activities that we were never able to do. From traveling across the country to visit my half-sisters and dozens of cousins I have (HUGE extended family), to hiking and camping in upstate Connecticut, or teaching me about how to DJ, it meant a lot to him. For me, it was the start of new beginnings – being the only prominent male role model in my life, I felt reassured that I would have finally a proactive father.
Now, our virtue of a new profound relationship cannot be attained. Since his passing, the air I breathe has become dense. Never again will I hear his keys jingle as he opened the front door returning his 5 p.m. daytime shift or leaving for his 10 p.m. night shift. Never again will we take our trips down to Seaside Heights, NJ and ride the rolling waves in the exhausting midsummer heat. Never again will we go together to the Bronx and get the best Jamaican beef patties in the tri-state area. Never again could I call him on a whim late at night just for old time's sake. We will never go to a bar to celebrate my 21st birthday. These small moments highlighted the building blocks of our father-son relationship and its instant demise. It truly devastates me.
-----
As my father was the primary source of household income, his loss has transformed every part of my life. For instance, household expenses have become unsustainable for my mother. Currently, she is working in a high school cafeteria, receiving a meager income incomparable to what my father earned. Likewise, she lacks a high school and college education and cannot pursue a higher income job. Her meager income, combined with Connecticut’s high cost-of-living, has left her no other option but to apply for SNAP benefits and contemplate how to balance current bills on our house and other living expenses.
One key issue that concerns me is the very real possibility of not being able to complete education here at American, as my father controlled my educational funds. Now, my Parent PLUS loans are canceled for next semester, and my school's financial aid office only covered a small portion of what is due for the upcoming semester. While I would have attempted to use my mother for Parent PLUS loans, her credit is in dire shape and is currently in the process of declaring bankruptcy. Her applying only granted a minimal amount of cash for the next semester. Similarly, my father had no long-term savings at the time of his death. It was depressing to discover how a man who worked over 100+ hours a week had little to no available funds in his accounts.
It was not an easy ride getting to this position as a number of previous, traumatic life events have challenged my future endeavors. I applied here as an Early Decision I student for a reason: I knew this University was a perfect fit. To this day, being accepted here has been one of my biggest accomplishments and has greatly benefited my life. From the professors I have met to the AU community itself, I love everything about this University. I could not be more grateful for the opportunities and experiences AU has provided to me over the past couple of years.
I hope you will consider helping me in easing the financial burden facing my family and grant the aid needed to pay my tuition the upcoming semester. My father worked the way he did in order to watch me succeed, investing in my future. I grew into the man I am today so that one day I could give back not only to my community but to him and my family. Without him around, now is your chance to assist me and make this possible. My father’s dream was for me to complete my education successfully. Unfortunately, now he will never see me graduate.
Please give the gift of education by contributing to my next college semester. Any amount donated brings me one step closer toward making my father proud of me successfully graduating from college.
Thank you,
Wayne R.
Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Wayne A. Rodriquez
Organizer
Bridgeport, CT
