Relocation Assistance
Donation protected
To Whom it May Concern
My name is Astra Armstrong. I am from the nation’s capital Washington DC, and I am a Business Management major graduating with honors from Norfolk State University on May 4th, 2019.
I am writing to ask for your help in a financial contribution to assisting me with relocating and giving me the extra push just until I get on my feet. I can promise you that the seed you plant in me whether it be financial, words of encouragement, prayer or anything to help me stay motivated during this huge transition in my life will light the fire in the torch that I need to get going. Anything is greatly appreciated. I do not have any transitional funding to assist me or any guidance due to not having family support. The funds will assist me with finding a place to stay and helping me survive up until my first paycheck.
My Story:
So much about the way I grew up suggests that I shouldn’t be here. Growing up in the inner city as a Black girl whose parents who were in and out of jail, a lot of people around me expected that I would have a similar fate. My mother was trying to raise me and keep a roof over our heads while fighting her own battles with addiction. For much of my childhood, we were without stable housing. The elementary and middle schools I attended didn’t offer much by way of stability either, as they were incredibly under resourced and unsafe, keeping me fearful of my well being.
Facing challenges in both my home and school environment, I needed an outlet. Without the means to participate in many of the activities I was interested in, my sport became my pen, and I spent much of my time writing my own plays and poetry about what I was going through. That’s how I ended up auditioning and landing a spot at Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a Literary Media Major. Things seemed to be looking up. Duke Ellington provided me with a strong village of caring educators and a safe school environment where I could practice my art and get a nice meal. My mother had completed a rehabilitation program and, for the first time since I could remember, we had a consistent place to live together.
A year into my freshman year of high school, my mother passed away suddenly. Overnight, everything changed again. I was on my own. I was scared. I was grieving, and in a lot of ways, life was asking me to grow up overnight. With so much uncertainty, I tried to focus on something I did have control over: my mindset about school and my future. I made a promise to my mom that I would take my studies seriously, graduate, and go to college.
A person should be judged not only by their past, but by what they aspire to be. Our experiences and achievements in life represent us and people’s actions display their integrity. Although the neighborhood I grew up in has produced many challenges and a faulty image of what it means to be a young black woman, these experiences have pushed me to work harder and to be a better influence to those around me. Throughout my collegiate experience, I have been afforded numerous opportunities to enhance my matriculation and growth. In addition to serving as Norfolk State University’s SGA president this past school year, I have served as Miss Freshmen, Miss Sophomore, Miss Jae Mabry and the Executive Assistant for SGA. In addition I was recognized during homecoming as the first “Future Forward” student award recipient by some of the Norfolk State University influential Spartans and a student speaker for the 2019 Hampton Roads Mayor’s masked ball.During my sophomore year, I traveled to South Africa to complete a 5 week theatre internship on a full ride Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship in addition I recently just spent Spring Break in Costa Rica volunteering to teach English to a women's suffrage shelter. I have volunteered and created different initiatives throughout the Norfolk area such as teddy bear drives for the CHKD hospital, adopting underprivileged families during holiday seasons, consistently volunteering at Larrymore Elementary School and creating a partnership with Booker T. Washington High School called “A Tie for A Teen” a male based initiative that will work with youth that face a myriad of issues including low self-esteem, lack of proper guidance, inaccessibility to resources, and a high probability of not obtaining a proper education.
After graduation I will be moving to Atlanta to pursue teaching as an school teacher through Relay Graduate School of Education at Harper Archer Elementary School while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education. While in Atlanta I am driven to build a non-profit centered around Theatre, education, performing arts and helping people in need all around the world accomplish their dreams. I appreciate any support you are able to provide me with as I begin this next chapter in my life.
Again, Thank you for your support.
If you would like to contact me please see my contact information listed below:
Email: [email redacted]
I am taking donations until June 1, 2019. If I go over the amount and you would still like to donate that is fine. I am forever grateful and thank you for everything.
My name is Astra Armstrong. I am from the nation’s capital Washington DC, and I am a Business Management major graduating with honors from Norfolk State University on May 4th, 2019.
I am writing to ask for your help in a financial contribution to assisting me with relocating and giving me the extra push just until I get on my feet. I can promise you that the seed you plant in me whether it be financial, words of encouragement, prayer or anything to help me stay motivated during this huge transition in my life will light the fire in the torch that I need to get going. Anything is greatly appreciated. I do not have any transitional funding to assist me or any guidance due to not having family support. The funds will assist me with finding a place to stay and helping me survive up until my first paycheck.
My Story:
So much about the way I grew up suggests that I shouldn’t be here. Growing up in the inner city as a Black girl whose parents who were in and out of jail, a lot of people around me expected that I would have a similar fate. My mother was trying to raise me and keep a roof over our heads while fighting her own battles with addiction. For much of my childhood, we were without stable housing. The elementary and middle schools I attended didn’t offer much by way of stability either, as they were incredibly under resourced and unsafe, keeping me fearful of my well being.
Facing challenges in both my home and school environment, I needed an outlet. Without the means to participate in many of the activities I was interested in, my sport became my pen, and I spent much of my time writing my own plays and poetry about what I was going through. That’s how I ended up auditioning and landing a spot at Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a Literary Media Major. Things seemed to be looking up. Duke Ellington provided me with a strong village of caring educators and a safe school environment where I could practice my art and get a nice meal. My mother had completed a rehabilitation program and, for the first time since I could remember, we had a consistent place to live together.
A year into my freshman year of high school, my mother passed away suddenly. Overnight, everything changed again. I was on my own. I was scared. I was grieving, and in a lot of ways, life was asking me to grow up overnight. With so much uncertainty, I tried to focus on something I did have control over: my mindset about school and my future. I made a promise to my mom that I would take my studies seriously, graduate, and go to college.
A person should be judged not only by their past, but by what they aspire to be. Our experiences and achievements in life represent us and people’s actions display their integrity. Although the neighborhood I grew up in has produced many challenges and a faulty image of what it means to be a young black woman, these experiences have pushed me to work harder and to be a better influence to those around me. Throughout my collegiate experience, I have been afforded numerous opportunities to enhance my matriculation and growth. In addition to serving as Norfolk State University’s SGA president this past school year, I have served as Miss Freshmen, Miss Sophomore, Miss Jae Mabry and the Executive Assistant for SGA. In addition I was recognized during homecoming as the first “Future Forward” student award recipient by some of the Norfolk State University influential Spartans and a student speaker for the 2019 Hampton Roads Mayor’s masked ball.During my sophomore year, I traveled to South Africa to complete a 5 week theatre internship on a full ride Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship in addition I recently just spent Spring Break in Costa Rica volunteering to teach English to a women's suffrage shelter. I have volunteered and created different initiatives throughout the Norfolk area such as teddy bear drives for the CHKD hospital, adopting underprivileged families during holiday seasons, consistently volunteering at Larrymore Elementary School and creating a partnership with Booker T. Washington High School called “A Tie for A Teen” a male based initiative that will work with youth that face a myriad of issues including low self-esteem, lack of proper guidance, inaccessibility to resources, and a high probability of not obtaining a proper education.
After graduation I will be moving to Atlanta to pursue teaching as an school teacher through Relay Graduate School of Education at Harper Archer Elementary School while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education. While in Atlanta I am driven to build a non-profit centered around Theatre, education, performing arts and helping people in need all around the world accomplish their dreams. I appreciate any support you are able to provide me with as I begin this next chapter in my life.
Again, Thank you for your support.
If you would like to contact me please see my contact information listed below:
Email: [email redacted]
I am taking donations until June 1, 2019. If I go over the amount and you would still like to donate that is fine. I am forever grateful and thank you for everything.
Organizer
Star Armstrong
Organizer
Norfolk, VA
