URGENT: Help Erin Graduate and Keep her Housing

Hi there, I'm Erin Bernardo, a senior media production major, and I'm grateful for your time and support. I'm currently facing a financial crisis that puts my housing, job, and last semester at the University of Houston at risk. Unfortunately, due to my family's ongoing financial difficulties, finding a qualified cosigner for my loans has been a struggle.

Throughout the past two years, my family, a household of five, faced significant challenges during a lengthy divorce process. I had been working on campus as a student producer and had saved for two years, enabling me to cover my own summer classes in 2023. However, as the financial strain on my family intensified, in fall and winter of 2023, I had to lend a vastly significant portion of my savings to help cover food, bills, and essentials, including our family car. This car is the only mode of transportation for my family aside from occasional lifts from friends home/back to campus when necessary.

Currently, I'm waiting for a response from a potential cosigner, and while I hope for the best, I've set up this fundraiser to address immediate concerns. I have a new campus job lined up for the spring semester, which could immensely ease some of my financial burden, but I need to lift a financial hold from the previous semester to sign up for classes and start work. While $5k doesn't fully cover my hold, it will help cover a portion of the cost, and in the event of my worst case scenario, help with potential loan repayments and an overcharge from forced housing cancellation if I'm unable to enroll. I greatly appreciate any donation made towards my financial emergency and education, or to anyone who can share this page.

While I've only said so much, supporting my family while working towards my degree has been both difficult and worth it to me. It hurts to be in this vulnerable position, but if there's one thing college life and filmmaking has taught me, it's to be okay with asking for help. For any donors, I'd love to name you in the special thanks of my next film and video projects, hopefully finished in a more stable time for us all. Thank you everyone for being a part of my story.

*A photo collage of almost all the short film productions I've worked on outside of class! From 2021-2023. Under my student Entertainment Producer job, I had the privilege to produce and executive produce 12 short films in 4 semesters, and conceptualize and execute 2 film festivals and 2 short film challenges with my peers to increase filmmaking accessibility on campus. I'd produced all the the org's short films, comedy sketches, and film reviews at the time.

I've produced 2 indie short films under 86LUCK, and associate produced the comedy fashion film "DOWN 2 EARTH" (a collab with fashion brand, "OK SUPER DAY"). I have a passion for directing, producing, screenwriting, and acting.

*A recent film I worked on as an associate producer, assistant editor, costume designer, casting director, and actress.

Through tough times, amazing people and artwork have been a vital part of my life, and I only want to keep growing and learning while I support my family and friends. I appreciate everyone that has supported me in this journey.