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Help Emily continue her college education!

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To my family and friends,

My cousin Paula and her children have experienced an overwhelming loss, something that no family should ever have to endure. Brandon, husband of 17-years to Paula, suffered from a personality disorder. In April of 2020, Brandon lost his battle with his ongoing mental illness. Many raw emotions come from mental health disorders, and his struggle impacted Brandon's family in many ways, long before the loss of his life. In my limited experience with Psychology, I know that mental health issues are tied to the inner workings of the brain and are not related to the life the individual leads. Mental illness is heartbreaking and devastating, and even those who receive help may still have a tragic outcome. 

My cousin Paula and her husband Brandon had 5 children together, their second oldest is Emily who is 17 years old. The last few years of Brandon’s life were difficult, and Emily had to take on a very supportive and maternal role for her younger siblings. During the time that Paula was spending her time, effort, and energy into caring for Brandon, Emily took care of household duties, such as cooking. Emily has taken on the role of preparing all the meals for her family. I have witnessed her kindness on many occasions. I only share this with you to give you a better understanding of the kind of person Emily is. Emily and her siblings have endured the loss of a father, and the impact of that loss will forever carry on into the rest of their lives.  

Emily, along with her four siblings were all home schooled. Emily finished high school early, at age 14. She refused to stop there... she enrolled in San Juan College and graduated in May of 2020 with her associate degree in Psychology, just weeks after Brandon passed away. She would like to continue her education in Psychology and become a mental health counselor, specializing in personality disorder and working with children and teens. In addition to maintaining a 3.75 GPA, Emily volunteers at local soup kitchens, mentors high-risk middle school children who attend her local church and participates in as many volunteer activities as she can as well as juggling her home responsibilities and currently a full-time job. Emily also participates in local theatre and musical productions. She is an accomplished musician and has public-speaking credentials. Did I mention that she can also speak fluent Spanish? Well, she can!

Before Brandon’s passing, she had planned to attend college in Maryland but decided to remain close to her family during this time.

At 17, Emily is the morning supervisor at the Courtyard Marriott Bistro. Due to the financial hardships that come with the main breadwinner passing, Emily has been saving for college on her own, but this is where you come in.

 I created this GoFundMe page to help Emily have the opportunity to attend Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, to obtain her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. If anyone deserves to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree, it is Emily. I would like to petition our friends and family and ask for their support to send her to college. Right now, I am asking for help to cover her first-year tuition and her first-year dorm room expense. Anything you can donate would be appreciated. Emily is one of the sweetest, kindest, and most thoughtful individuals that I have ever known. She is dedicated, driven, and has admirable goals. Please give what you can; it will make a remarkable difference.

Thank you.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Robert Golebiewski
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Corey Lehman
    • $50
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $400
    • 4 yrs
  • Emily Farrington
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Amanda Mangold
Organizer
Aztec, NM

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