Eddisa Concepcion Herrera's Fund

My name is Maria Centeno, I'm originally from Chicago but now reside in Iowa with my children and husband. My family and I decided to launch this campaign to help us find my 24 year old daughter Eddisa. She lived, worked and went to school in Chicago. On December 21st, 2018, Eddisa suffered a tragic water accident in Lake Michigan. The Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department tried searching for her, but were not able to locate her. The main purpose of this fund is to cover expenses required to hire a private diving crew that would assist ongoing efforts to recover her body and provide closure for our family as well as give her the memorial she deserves. Any remaining funds will be used to publish Eddisa's poetry and create a scholarship fund to carry on her legacy.  For those of you who do not know Eddisa or just got to know her a little bit, I want to tell you about the amazing young woman she was and her great accomplishments. Eddisa lived by what she believed was her purpose in life.  She desired to make a difference in the lives of others and wished to contribute positive change in the world. She had a strong but peaceful presence that would brighten any space she walked into. From a young age, she enjoyed and embraced every new day. She took advantage of every new opportunity and enjoyed the tiniest moments as much as she did the big adventures. She was fierce; conquering life’s challenges and always keeping a positive attitude. She practiced self-love by reading books, taking yoga classes, going to the gym, writing poetry and painting. She loved with passion and conviction.  She made time for everyone she loved, especially her beloved family, and she always made them a priority. Eddisa was full of life, with so many dreams and goals she was determined to fulfill. Eddisa received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She worked for a non-profit organization as a Home Purchase Advisor, where she educated and guided clients to realize their dream of homeownership in predominantly low-income communities. She believed the most critical aspect of her role was to help everyday people create a sustainable foundation for themselves and their families, which in turn would help nourish their communities. Eddisa was enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which she hoped would open doors to one day pursuing a career as a Policy Director or Research Director for a local organization that would match her passion and dedication to building and strengthening communities. It has been a difficult time for us and while we may not be able to respond to everyone individually, we are grateful for your support.  We would like to thank everyone for reaching out and ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers. Thank you in advance for your support, prayers and contributions. “Her power is her own, she will not give it away” – The House on Mango Street