Mandy M

Let me introduce Emily. Emily has been fighting the odds for years, refusing to be a statistic, refusing to be beaten down. But that doesn’t make life any less hard. Years of chronic illness have impacted her ability to work, save and improve her education. Emily has what she likes to call her “tragic villain backstory." She's witnessed and been victim to more violence than most people will ever experience in their lives. She’s endured countless hardships including poverty, homelessness, mental illnesses, and physical illness. A few years ago she was diagnosed with autism, which helped to explain many of the social issues she experienced in her adolescence. In the assessment, it was determined that she would likely never be able to work a full time job because of her neurodivergence. Battling a weakened immune system, mysterious symptoms for more than a year, iron deficiency and extreme fatigue for years, she’s had every reason to quit, to give up, to fall victim to nihilism and succumb to the villainy she jokes about....But she hasn’t. No diagnosis can keep Emily from anything she sets her mind to. Emily is intellegent, ambitious, clever, witty and hardworking. She absorbs information like a sponge and loves to learn and grow. She has big dreams; she always has. Emily is an advocate for abuse victims, and foster children. She has a strong moral compass and a passion for justice and equality. She believes that all people are capable of good, regardless, and is a proponent of second chances. She’s empathetic and compassionate and sometimes over-generous, willingly giving what little she has to those in need. Most of all, Emily just wants to make the world a better place and this time, she needs our help. Emily's trying to get her Medical assistant certification and is a mere $2,000 short of her goal after working and saving every penny that didn't leave her generous fingers to aid someone more in need than her. That's just who Emily is. Money donated will help to put this compassionate young woman into the medical profession, and help Emily overcome the hurdles that life has thrown her way. Investing in Emily is an investment in our communities and making them a better, healthier, safer place.

Chester is a 19-year-old art student in the Pacific Northwest. The art I have chosen to feature is all digital art, and no photographs were manipulated, demonstrating Chester's amazing and growing talent, which further education will only increase. Chester has experienced a lot of trauma and loss in life and was adopted at four years old from the foster care system, only to face more hardships and challenges. Through all the adversity, Chester has continued to turn to art as a healthy coping mechanism and source of regulation. In June, Chester was accepted to an art program, which can open many doors to further their talent and independence, but which requires tuition above the loans, grants, and scholarships Chester has been awarded and beyond his mother's means. Unfortunately, love and talent alone don't pay the educational bill of promise. This is where you can help. Chester needs people to invest in his future, and in return, you get the promise that Chester will most definitely bring more beauty into your world.