Monice, 30 years old, CA | NEEDED BY 08/07

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Monice is a strong, creative, and ambitious single mother who recently made the decision to go back to school after spending much of her 20s working to build stability for herself and her family. Her life has been very challenging. She grew up around cycles of addiction and abuse and has also experienced homelessness and domestic violence. Even with everything she has been through, she continues to move forward with honesty, strength, and determination to create a better life. These experiences have shaped her passion for helping others, especially young mothers who may not have much support. She wants to create spaces where people feel safe, supported, and seen. Monice is focused on building a better future for herself and her family, while also using her voice and experiences to help others who are going through similar struggles. Through education, community, and creativity, she hopes to be part of positive change and give others the kind of support she once needed herself.

Earlier this year, Monicia made the intentional decision to return to college after waiting until she felt mentally and emotionally ready to succeed. Since beginning her educational journey, she has worked hard to balance school while creating a more stable future for herself and her daughter. Completing the Fall 2026 semester will mark an important milestone as it marks her first full year of college. This summer brought exciting progress. She secured full-time employment and was able to move into housing for herself and her little girl. While these are incredible accomplishments, the increase in income also resulted in changes to Monicia's financial aid package, leaving her with an unexpected balance owed to her college and a registration hold on her account. Monicia is requesting support to help clear this balance so she can register for Fall 2026 classes as soon as priority registration opens. She is pursuing coursework in business and nursing, and enrolling early is critical to securing the classes she needs to stay on track toward her educational and career goals. Not to mention she needs evening courses to support her employment long-term. This wish is about preserving momentum. After working so hard to rebuild her life, secure stable housing, and return to school, Monicia doesn't want an unexpected financial setback to interrupt the future she is creating for herself and her daughter.