My name is Nichole and I am a child welfare specialist in Illinois. I started my master's program in March of 2023, but had to drop out shortly after. 

2023 was a tough year - I started a new job in a new field, lost two dear pets, and my husband had a series of health issues one after the other. I was overwhelmed and left school to regroup - leaving a balance on my account. 

In February 2024, my husband had a quadruple bypass and is still recovering. He's also relying on an oxygen machine we are renting to sleep through the night and to get through the tough days. The bills keep adding up, but the income stays the same.

I am asking for help paying off my past-due balance so I can re-enroll in school and earn my degree, allowing me to move into a new position where I can help child victims of sexual and physical assault love through the trauma and not let it follow and define them in adulthood.