Donna, 19 years old, NJ | NEEDED BY 04/11

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Donna has been in and out of the child welfare system during her childhood and adolescence. Currently, she lives in a program for young teen mothers with her son, where she has been for the past two years. Despite lacking family support, she has earned her high school diploma and is committed to raising her son as a single parent. Donna's next goals are to attend college and find a stable job. She is also working to improve her English skills and has signed up for a virtual ESL class. Her only financial support comes from a small stipend, and she is responsible for all her son’s care and expenses. To make ends meet, she relies on garage sales and hand-me-downs, dreaming of a future where she can provide her son with opportunities she missed as a child.

Currently, anytime Donna needs to work on job/school/ESL activities that require a computer, she borrows a shared laptop from the program where she resides. Sometimes that laptop is in use by other residents, though, which leaves Donna unable to make progress on her goals. With college plans in the works, Donna dreams of having her own laptop, to help with school assignments, job searches, and attending her virtual ESL class. Being able to receive a laptop would greatly assist her as she pursues independence.