From Haiti to Penn: Support a Future Counselor

Hi everyone,

My name is Mitcheld, and I am a first-generation immigrant from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, pursuing my master's at the University of Pennsylvania. I am asking for your support as I take a big leap toward my dreams of being a school and mental health counselor.

Whether you know me personally or stumbled upon this page through someone who does, I appreciate you being here.

Over the past few years, I have worked incredibly hard to pursue my education while working full-time, supporting my mother in Haiti, and following my passion for community leadership in Philadelphia schools. As the child of immigrants, I silently endured mental health challenges for many years. My parents did not believe in mental health issues, so I experienced years of anxiety and depression without any support. In 2021, I finally overcame the stigma and sought help. Therapy helped me reclaim my life and gave me a clearer sense of purpose. This is why I chose to return to school to become a mental health counselor in Fall 2024. I want to help students—whether they resemble me or not, and whether they have parents like mine or not—in breaking through the stigma, addressing their challenges, and reclaiming their lives. I believe I can make a difference.

As I complete my first year of graduate school, I find myself in need of your support. I have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise $23,000 to cover my tuition for the summer term at the University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is an Ivy League institution with high costs. It also has one of the few programs that accommodate full-time working professionals. Unfortunately, the summer term is not covered by scholarships or financial aid. If I cannot raise the necessary funds, I will not be able to continue my studies. This work is incredibly important to me, and I’ve overcome significant challenges to reach this point. Your help would make a big difference.

Every dollar will go directly toward tuition.

Even if you can’t donate, just sharing this page with others means the world to me. And if you are able to contribute—thank you for investing in me and what I hope to create in this world.

With love and gratitude,

Mitcheld