Amanda's Education Fund
Donation protected
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Amanda, I'm 26 years old, and I have a passion for helping those in need, particularly individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. My personal experiences in life, such as losing someone I loved to drugs, or having little to no relationship with my father due to alcohol abuse, have influenced my decisions to take the path that I am on today. Today, I am a Program Director at an agency that houses and transitions individuals with severe mental illness, and I am just 2 classes and an internship shy of earning my MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This journey has been far from easy but I managed to persevere. However, I was recently faced with an obstacle that has left me feeling nothing but defeated and hopeless. It took a lot for me to build up the courage to do this but it has become clear to me that I cannot do this on my own and thus, is why I am asking for YOUR help.
I am enrolled in an online graduate program which requires students to attend 2 residencies in which you go to another state and meet with other students and faculty for one week. My first one was in San Diego, CA where I learned effective counseling techniques and formed meaningful relationships with other students. My second one was scheduled to be in Dallas, TX this past August. Students are required to pay for their own airfare and hotel. I booked a round trip from NY to Dallas and a 5 night hotel stay for almost $2,000. However, 6 hours before I was supposed to fly out of NY I received a message stating that my flight had been canceled and I had to call back to book another flight. My mom and I made they call but were placed on hold for 2 hours. Meanwhile, I contacted the director of the residency and my professor to inform them that my flight was canceled and I would likely be arriving late. They responded the next morning to inform me that I was allowed to miss a total of 7 hours. My mom and I were not having any luck finding a flight with the same airline so we didn't have to purchase another ticket, so we indeed had to purchase a new ticket. I informed the faculty of my new arrival time in which they were okay with and said that they looked forward to seeing me when I got there. When I finally did arrive, I signed in and waited for the director who I had been in contact with regarding me being late. When she arrived, she looked at me and said, "Yea, you've missed too much, there's no way you can make anything up, we can't have you stay." No empathy, no remorse; I thought she was joking. At this point, I had spent over $2,000, had little to no sleep, and was overwhelmed with stress. I broke down; I felt like my entire world had just shattered in front of me. I asked to speak to the women's supervisor and then spent a good 2 hours talking to them to just get the same answer..."Even if we did decide to let you stay, you're too emotional to even go in there and do what you need to do." The way these women spoke to me and acted toward me was completely unethical and traumatizing. I've worked too hard to get to the residency, to get to where I am emotionally, personally, and professionally; in no way did I deserve to be treated the way I did or get turned away by the very woman who told me that she looked forward to seeing me.
As previously mentioned, I am required to complete 2 residencies and since I was not allowed to stay in Dallas, I now have to attend another one. Yes, that is right, I have to purchase more plane tickets and another 5 night hotel stay. Yes, the school should refund me but the women I spoke to (the residency directors) offered me no support. I am working toward a resolution by there are steps I need to take, and many people I need to talk to which will take a lot of time, time that I do not have. Why? I am required to attend the next residency in October- 1 month. If I do not attend this residency in 1 month then I cannot move forward in my degree program, and I will not be able to graduate. Again, I've worked too hard to get here and truly wouldn't be able to stomach not being able to graduate with only having 2 classes left.
The residency is in Atlanta, GA beginning October 9th. That means, that I need to book flights and a hotel ASAP and there's no way that I could do that without YOU. I am asking that you help me raise $2,000 so that I am able to live my dream of becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I love what I do; I love helping people, watching them grow, watching them succeed and by earning my degree, I will be able to help more people, on many more levels, and in so many new ways. Your donation would truly mean the world to me; whatever it may be, it will be more than I have. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and getting to know me a little more. We all have struggles but when someone reaches in to offer you a helping hand, you're finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Be that light.
#GFMScholarship
I am enrolled in an online graduate program which requires students to attend 2 residencies in which you go to another state and meet with other students and faculty for one week. My first one was in San Diego, CA where I learned effective counseling techniques and formed meaningful relationships with other students. My second one was scheduled to be in Dallas, TX this past August. Students are required to pay for their own airfare and hotel. I booked a round trip from NY to Dallas and a 5 night hotel stay for almost $2,000. However, 6 hours before I was supposed to fly out of NY I received a message stating that my flight had been canceled and I had to call back to book another flight. My mom and I made they call but were placed on hold for 2 hours. Meanwhile, I contacted the director of the residency and my professor to inform them that my flight was canceled and I would likely be arriving late. They responded the next morning to inform me that I was allowed to miss a total of 7 hours. My mom and I were not having any luck finding a flight with the same airline so we didn't have to purchase another ticket, so we indeed had to purchase a new ticket. I informed the faculty of my new arrival time in which they were okay with and said that they looked forward to seeing me when I got there. When I finally did arrive, I signed in and waited for the director who I had been in contact with regarding me being late. When she arrived, she looked at me and said, "Yea, you've missed too much, there's no way you can make anything up, we can't have you stay." No empathy, no remorse; I thought she was joking. At this point, I had spent over $2,000, had little to no sleep, and was overwhelmed with stress. I broke down; I felt like my entire world had just shattered in front of me. I asked to speak to the women's supervisor and then spent a good 2 hours talking to them to just get the same answer..."Even if we did decide to let you stay, you're too emotional to even go in there and do what you need to do." The way these women spoke to me and acted toward me was completely unethical and traumatizing. I've worked too hard to get to the residency, to get to where I am emotionally, personally, and professionally; in no way did I deserve to be treated the way I did or get turned away by the very woman who told me that she looked forward to seeing me.
As previously mentioned, I am required to complete 2 residencies and since I was not allowed to stay in Dallas, I now have to attend another one. Yes, that is right, I have to purchase more plane tickets and another 5 night hotel stay. Yes, the school should refund me but the women I spoke to (the residency directors) offered me no support. I am working toward a resolution by there are steps I need to take, and many people I need to talk to which will take a lot of time, time that I do not have. Why? I am required to attend the next residency in October- 1 month. If I do not attend this residency in 1 month then I cannot move forward in my degree program, and I will not be able to graduate. Again, I've worked too hard to get here and truly wouldn't be able to stomach not being able to graduate with only having 2 classes left.
The residency is in Atlanta, GA beginning October 9th. That means, that I need to book flights and a hotel ASAP and there's no way that I could do that without YOU. I am asking that you help me raise $2,000 so that I am able to live my dream of becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I love what I do; I love helping people, watching them grow, watching them succeed and by earning my degree, I will be able to help more people, on many more levels, and in so many new ways. Your donation would truly mean the world to me; whatever it may be, it will be more than I have. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and getting to know me a little more. We all have struggles but when someone reaches in to offer you a helping hand, you're finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Be that light.
#GFMScholarship
Organizer
Amanda Marotta
Organizer
Amsterdam, NY