Letter to the Editor: Help a Local Woman Go to School

Dear Friends,

I have a 28 year-old friend with three little kids. She's a great mom. Due to traumatic and tragic events her husband has been out of the picture since 2008, she's been supporting the family and scraping by, cleaning houses and a church.

I have set up a fund to help my friend complete a year and a half long Licensed Practical Nurse program. This will enable her to get a steady job, then gradually take classes towards an RN degree. The program is intense, early morning till late afternoon, so she won't be able to work. People have volunteered, taking turns to cover the kids before school and they will participate in an after school program.  

My friend completed two prerequisites for the program this past spring semester, Algebra and English, both with A’s. This fall, she has just begun the LPN program at Vinal Tech in Middletown with Pell Grants covering most of the tuition.  Unfortunately, this program does not qualify for Stafford Student Loans.

In order to cover books, uniforms and living expenses for herself and her children, she will need additional money per month for eighteen months to cover housing, oil, electric, phone, food, gas, insurance, childcare, along with many daily extras and the unexpected.  

I am hoping to find between 20 and 25 contributors able to contribute $100 per month to the fund. However, any monthly or one time contribution will be welcomed and appreciated. 100% of all money received on my friend's behalf will go directly to her monthly living expenses using the Education Fund account that has been opened at Liberty Bank.  This account has two signatories. Thus far we have commitments from about half the goal number of monthly contributers. All participants will be sent monthly bank statements by email or snail mail, according their preference. Gifts can be anonymous if contributers so choose.

My friend has very little family. Her mother died a few years ago. I thought she might qualify for displaced homemaker assistance, but such programs seem to have vanished. I help as much as I can, but don't have enough to see her through. Wish I did.

If you are in a position to help and have an interest in doing so, it would be a wonderful gift to my friend and her little family. She has proven herself to be a great mom, an excellent student, a hard worker and a kind and thoughtful human being.  I know that she deeply appreciates this opportunity and will do it justice.  

It takes a village - are you able to join us? If so, please contact me.  

Thank you,

Evelyn Foster

POB 302

Hadlyme CT 06439

860 526 2620

evfoster1@mindspring.com