Help Finance Sahra's Law School Journey

WHO AM I

My name is Sahra Hassan and I am a Third-year law student - at the University of Maine School of Law.

I am a first-generation Somali-American. I grew up low-income, and I’m still currently in a low-income household with a lot of financial responsibility (as eldest daughters often do). I’m also the first in my family to graduate from university, as well as go to graduate school.

WHY AM I CROWDFUNDING

This GoFundMe will relieve some of the financial burdens that will be weighing on me as I navigate being a student at UMaine Law and study for the Bar Exam, which is the examination that a person must pass in order to obtain a license to practice law as an attorney. My goal is to raise $30,000. The funds raised will cover my tuition, books, and other necessities that may come up during my time in law school. These funds will also financially support me as I study for the Bar this coming summer.

INVITATION TO DONATE/SUPPORT

If you have a full-time job and are financially stable, have access to generational wealth, have a generous spirit, or if you care about me, want to invest in Black women’s futures, or care about the future I want to create for immigrants and refugees; I invite you to donate! Mutual aid is what helps people in disadvantaged positions succeed and thrive!

If you are unable to donate, I invite you to share, post, and spread the word!

****INTENT IN PURSUING LAW

Going to law school, I knew that I wanted to use my law degree to advocate for refugees and displaced communities in the state of Maine and maybe one day around the world. As an immigrant and refugee myself, I know firsthand the complexities that come with navigating our unjust immigration system. But through my education, youth advocacy work, and experience working at the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Maine, I am fortunate to have been part of and continue to be part of institutions that are creating equitable and inclusive spaces for immigrant communities. AND I know there is always room for more of these spaces. I know that a career in law is my chance to actualize my deeper purpose to create more of these spaces; so that immigrant communities feel served.

WHY ASKING FOR SUPPORT MATTERS

I am creating this GoFundMe to help make my future vision a reality. I am conscious that we as humans, and especially women, have been conditioned not to seek help. I have thought long and hard about doing this. There is this negative stain on asking for financial support and I have definitely carried that with me. However, after speaking with so many community members and loved ones, I realized that this is not only an opportunity for me to ask for help but also an opportunity for those who care about me and my future to show up for me and lift me up. In addition, I know that my commitment to supporting my broader community means setting aside my own fears and inner criticism to ask for help from friends, community members, and generous humans like yourself.

In order to continue helping my communities, I need help to support myself and my dreams! Having lived in Maine for the majority of my life, I have been privileged to be part of organizations and spaces that have allowed me to advocate for and protect Maines Somali, Muslim, and immigrant communities. Whether it be my role with Seeds of Peace, being an educator and working to support multicultural and multilingual youth at Casco Bay High School, organizing a solidarity protest for Palestine, working as a legal intern at the Immigrant Advocacy Project, in my role as a Student Attorney in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at UMaine Law or just being a member of the immigrant and refugee community here in Maine. I know this state has a long way to go and I am more than prepared to be part of a community that will make it better.

With deep gratitude and appreciation,

Sahra ✨❤️