“I get by with a little help from my friends." 🎶

Hey, friends!

I'm pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Portland State University, and I'm reaching out to my community for a little help getting through this next chapter.

I've spent years working in social services, particularly in affordable housing, and I've seen firsthand how policies, systems, and institutions shape people's lives. I want to build on that experience and expand my ability to create change through social work, policy, advocacy, and community organizing. I'm especially interested in macro social work and addressing the systemic barriers that impact individuals and communities.

Going back to school full time while continuing to work full time and complete my practicum is no small undertaking. I knew it would be a financial commitment, but I didn't anticipate quite how many unexpected expenses and uncertainties would pile up at once.

A few things have made this journey particularly challenging:

• An unexpected car purchase: Just two weeks before school started, I had to purchase a vehicle. Between a monthly car payment and increased insurance costs, that's an additional expense I hadn't budgeted for.

• Employment uncertainty: My workplace is facing budget cuts and furloughs, which directly impact my income.

• Homeownership: I'm in my second year of owning a home, and managing a mortgage and household expenses on a single income is a significant responsibility.

• Graduate school funding: Recent federal changes have eliminated Grad PLUS borrowing options for many new graduate borrowers. FAFSA and my available financial aid only cover so much, leaving approximately $5,000 in tuition expenses this academic year that I'll need to pay out of pocket, not including books and course materials for winter and spring terms.

Meanwhile, I'm balancing a full-time job, a full-time graduate course load, practicum hours, and all the reading and assignments that come with it.

I'm also making a point to maintain the things that keep me grounded. Muay Thai and martial arts are an important outlet, and my recovery and the community that supports it remain priorities in my life. I'm trying to make room for all the things that make me who I am, not just the things on my calendar.

How You Can Help

My goal is to raise $8,500 to help offset remaining tuition, books and educational expenses, lost income from furloughs, and transportation costs.

Any contribution, big or small, would help ease the financial pressure and allow me to focus more of my energy on school, practicum, and working toward my degree.

If you're unable to contribute, sharing this fundraiser with your network would also mean a lot.

Asking for help doesn't always come easily, but I'm learning that community is about showing up for one another, and sometimes that means allowing people to show up for you, too.

Thank you for cheering me on, supporting my education, and helping me get one step closer to the finish line. I'm incredibly grateful.

With gratitude,

Phoenix

Venmo: @Phoenix-Paintin

Paypal: paypal.me/pheenie454