Empower Tonia: A Single Mom's Quest for a Stable New Career

Tonia Ransom is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi! I'm Tonia. I'm a single mom with PTSD and ADHD, and an unemployed marketer, who's going back to school to become a paramedic.

Between the limitations that come with being a single mom, my PTSD/ADHD symptoms, and the complete instability in the tech and marketing industries, I've decided that going back to school is the best way to build a stable life for me and my son. I want to show him it's never too late to change your path, and to never give up in the face of adversity.

I've struggled with finding and holding a job for the last 6 years. Between layoffs, drastic unsustainable pay cuts, and the toll corporate America was taking on me due to my PTSD, I finally decided that maybe the universe was telling me I was meant for a more service-oriented career aligned with my interests, so I'm studying to be a paramedic.

Why can't you just work while you go to school?

I will! Unfortunately, every degree in healthcare requires an enormous amount of work, including randomly-scheduled 12-hour clinical shifts that make working a full time job impossible for most people, including me.

I do hope to land a part-time job at a hospital that allows me some flexibility, and I'm a podcaster and writer, so I'll be working on projects in both of those areas to help make ends meet.

What will my donation help pay for?

My living expenses (after the income I expect to bring in) while I'm in school for the next 2 years will total about $30k per year. Here's what you'll be helping me pay for:

Rent
Food for my son and I
Utilities
School expenses not covered by tuition
The priceless gift of peace of mind so I can focus on school and being a great mom (and also not be woken up with a panic attack most nights )

If you need $30,000, why are you only asking for $10,000?

Honestly, it feels greedy to ask for $30k. Lots of people are struggling right now, and every single dollar I raise will be one less dollar I have to borrow or pull from my 401K. Although my non-donation options aren't great, and will cost me more money in the long run, I have those options. Other people may not be so lucky, but raising $30k would be an absolutely huge relief if I do hit that mark. Anything in excess of $30k would go toward next year's expenses.

How else can I support you?

If you teach at a school/university and are looking for a guest speaker/lecturer, you can hire me to talk about writing or podcasting!
Listen to my podcasts (NIGHTLIGHT and Afflicted), or buy my book, Risen.
Commission a short story from me, or hire me to ghostwrite your book.
Share this fundraiser with your circle, and be sure to tell them why you think they should donate.

Thank you so much for reading. I'm a firm believer in paying it forward, so when I'm financially stable I will be giving back to the community. We are all in this together.

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