Help Fund Billie

Friends, After many years of indecision, I have taken the plunge and registered for school. As some of you may know, I attended NYU from 1998-2001 where I studied dramatic writing for film, television and theatre. Although very much interested in pursuing a career in writing, arts and entertainment, personal struggles with addiction, depression and anxiety curtailed my pursuit of higher learning. Side lined for many years to come, and full of fear and self doubt, I worked a variety of menial positions, none of which held my attention or really engaged me. Year after year, personal challenges have made if difficult if not impossible to find solid ground on which my feet could firmly plant. As I stare into my 34th year on this earth, I know that it is time to join the human race and say "yes, I too can be happy." I have been accepted to Madison Media Institute, a small technical school on the east side of the city. Loans have been approved, hoops have been jumped through, opportunities are in place. Working two jobs, I will be attending classes as a full time student, trying to make a real go of it, one small step at a time. As if the universe were arranging these circumstances directly, my employer at The Orpheum Theatre is allowing me to "shadow" the general manager in learning the production side of the business. This means that while learning sound design and recording engineering in school, I will also be applying it at my job. Words cannot describe how much excitement I feel, but more importantly, how much hope. This brings me to the part where I ask you, my friends, for what I need to support this enormous transition. Despite working two jobs and having been approved for student loans, I currently owe $2500 to MMI for my first semester's tuition. Additionally, there are supplies I will need and other living expenses accrued that my modest hourly pay rate cannot accommodate. I am doing the very best that I can to achieve the very best outcome, and for this, I will require your help. If you can find it within yourself to make even the smallest of contributions, you will have contributed to this woman's dreams. It has been decided ahead of time that all money received will be handled by my mother, Laura Popper, to ensure accountability and proper use of funding. Perhaps this bit of information will be of some assurance to those of you who both know me well, or not at all. I thank you for your consideration and hope this message finds you happy, healthy and prosperous. Your gift is received with gratitude and love, your generosity, whole heartedly noted. Sincerely, Rebecca "Billie" Shain