Ben Shirley's School Tuition
Donation protected
Four and a half years ago I wound up on Skid Row, downtown Los Angeles, at the Midnight Mission. I was homeless, helpless, and dying of addiction. Having alienated everyone and bringing everything around me down to it's foundation, as I came to find out, was the best thing that ever happened in my life. 
With the support of many new friends and the Midnight Mission, I was becoming a new man and encouraged to try school. I jumped in and my education started my journey to San Francisco.
After three years of school at Los Angeles City College, I realized my dream of being accepted into The San Francisco Conservatory of Music's new Technology and Applied Composition Program> (TAC Program).
The Conservatory's TAC program for game and film scoring is unlike any other music program in the United States and I am one of 15 students that was accepted for their innaugural semester. Not only is their new program groundbreaking, the school is one of the elite music schools in the country and the oldest on the west coast.
The point of this GoFundMe page? I am at a wall with tuition costs. I have grants, scholarships and a few student loans paying for my education but a few grant opportunties fell through and I have come up short in paying the remaing tuition for the year. The Conservatory has worked tirelessly with me in helping me get to this point but as of this writing, we are at a stand-still.
The idea of asking for help makes me uncomfortable and is an ego and pride smasher. What will everyone think of me? How will I look anyone in the eye after I have stuck my hand out and asked for help? How will I face anyone at school without the fear of being laughed at? This is what I am going through typing as I type this note. That being said, I have to ask for help or I will leave school with the huge question, "What if?" I can't just walk away knowing I did not do everything I can do to continue my education.
I would hope, after completion of school, to start a non-profit to help bring music education to the less fortunate. God knows, I feel, music heals and brings people together. I have been given the opportunity at a new life and I feel it is my obligation to give back and do my best to give back. Do I fall short at times? Of course. I'm human. I am trying my best and with continued guidance I will continue to do my best.
The funds I am asking for will pay for the rest of my semester and most, if not all, the remaining balance of the next semester. I am not asking and doing nothing to help my cause. I go to school full-time and hold two jobs with a third job on the horizon. It is not out of the ordinary to have twenty-plus hour days. I don't mind this workload in the least because I am living a dream. Where I ended up and where I am today is a miracle. Dreams can happen and miracles do happen.....even to a guy like me....
I thank you for your time in reading this and if you can help, thank you. If you can't help at this time, thank you all the same. Random acts of kindness and love go a long way. Everyone has struggles but sometimes it's just being able to listen and talk to someone that will change someone's life. I know these random acts of kindness have changed my life.
Ben
Ps: Any and all funds will be used towards tuition and or books/music programs that will be a part of my continuing education at The Conservatory.
With the support of many new friends and the Midnight Mission, I was becoming a new man and encouraged to try school. I jumped in and my education started my journey to San Francisco.
After three years of school at Los Angeles City College, I realized my dream of being accepted into The San Francisco Conservatory of Music's new Technology and Applied Composition Program> (TAC Program).
The Conservatory's TAC program for game and film scoring is unlike any other music program in the United States and I am one of 15 students that was accepted for their innaugural semester. Not only is their new program groundbreaking, the school is one of the elite music schools in the country and the oldest on the west coast.
The point of this GoFundMe page? I am at a wall with tuition costs. I have grants, scholarships and a few student loans paying for my education but a few grant opportunties fell through and I have come up short in paying the remaing tuition for the year. The Conservatory has worked tirelessly with me in helping me get to this point but as of this writing, we are at a stand-still.
The idea of asking for help makes me uncomfortable and is an ego and pride smasher. What will everyone think of me? How will I look anyone in the eye after I have stuck my hand out and asked for help? How will I face anyone at school without the fear of being laughed at? This is what I am going through typing as I type this note. That being said, I have to ask for help or I will leave school with the huge question, "What if?" I can't just walk away knowing I did not do everything I can do to continue my education.
I would hope, after completion of school, to start a non-profit to help bring music education to the less fortunate. God knows, I feel, music heals and brings people together. I have been given the opportunity at a new life and I feel it is my obligation to give back and do my best to give back. Do I fall short at times? Of course. I'm human. I am trying my best and with continued guidance I will continue to do my best.
The funds I am asking for will pay for the rest of my semester and most, if not all, the remaining balance of the next semester. I am not asking and doing nothing to help my cause. I go to school full-time and hold two jobs with a third job on the horizon. It is not out of the ordinary to have twenty-plus hour days. I don't mind this workload in the least because I am living a dream. Where I ended up and where I am today is a miracle. Dreams can happen and miracles do happen.....even to a guy like me....
I thank you for your time in reading this and if you can help, thank you. If you can't help at this time, thank you all the same. Random acts of kindness and love go a long way. Everyone has struggles but sometimes it's just being able to listen and talk to someone that will change someone's life. I know these random acts of kindness have changed my life.
Ben
Ps: Any and all funds will be used towards tuition and or books/music programs that will be a part of my continuing education at The Conservatory.
Organizer
Ben Shirley
Organizer
San Francisco, CA