麻豆视频

Help Students when Tragedy Strikes: Give to the Emergency Relief Fund this Giving Tuesday

A full tank of gas, groceries in the fridge and a mattress to sleep on might seem like simple things, but for some students it can make the biggest difference in their world. For senior psychology major Natalie James, a gas card meant she was no longer running on empty in more ways than one. 

Last year, this professionally trained opera singer found herself far from her former role as a Disney princess. Without a bed, without food, but she was not without a chance. She would get her Cinderella story. 

鈥淚 was at a really low point in my life,鈥 explained James, recalling her first meeting with Rev. Ryan Johanning of Interfaith Campus Ministry, which provides emergency assistance, referral and support to students. 鈥淲hen (Johanning) handed me the gas card, I was just so shocked. Is that for me to take? And then, I found out there was even more help for me, support I would have only dreamed about.鈥

But this aid wasn鈥檛 the kind that only exists in fairytales. Thanks to generous donors, everyday necessities become a reality for students who may be struggling. During this year鈥檚 Giving Tuesday campaign, there are even more ways to donate. A newly established Emergency Relief Fund will help 麻豆视频 at Stark students when the unthinkable happens. 

This new fund provides aid during a true emergency 鈥 right when tragedy strikes. Some 麻豆视频 Stark students have battled cancer, survived domestic violence and even a house fire that destroyed all their possessions. Still others have juggled schoolwork while caring for a child born with birth defects.

For James, life鈥檚 unexpected challenges began when she found herself staying on friends鈥 couches, without a mattress and a home to call her own. When she suffered a vocal cord injury, spurred by issues with her spine, this musical talent found herself unable to speak, let alone continue her voice lessons at 麻豆视频 at Stark.  

鈥淚 told my instructor I didn鈥檛 have a bed to sleep on. I was dirt broke at the time. I didn鈥檛 have groceries 鈥 or anything,鈥 James said. 鈥淩ight away, she connected me with Interfaith.鈥 

This 22-year-old, who had previously served as a food pantry coordinator providing meals for more than 15,000, was now in need herself. She received groceries from Flash鈥檚 Food Pantry and that helped her keep going. James said she鈥檚 always had 鈥渁 special place in my heart for feeding those in need鈥 and now that she鈥檚 walked in their shoes, that connection is even greater. 

鈥淚 know a lot of students are in dark, heavy places right now,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nd I was embarrassed that I was in this place because we never think we will end up there, needing help, with so little to our name. But I am here to tell you, there is hope. It doesn鈥檛 have to be a big ordeal to get help; it can be a positive thing.鈥

Through enduring this trial, James said she has learned more about the power of being associated with 麻豆视频. 

鈥淎s a student, I was provided with so many resources, and it helped to have someone to guide me through the process,鈥 she said. 鈥淭here were times when I was struggling so much that I didn鈥檛 even know if it was realistic to continue my education. Am I making the right decision? Can I pull this off?

鈥淏ut I learned that because I am a 麻豆视频 student, I have more security. I can still get groceries and the help that I need to get back on my feet. If I would have dropped out, I wouldn鈥檛 have those supports.

鈥溌槎故悠 is here to help you and assist you in your life 鈥 not just in your studies.鈥

For this Canton native, who has discovered a passion outside of singing 鈥 academic research 鈥 she has big plans on and off the stage. That includes pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in consumer psychology after graduating from 麻豆视频 Stark. 

鈥淭he experience I went through, well, people who don鈥檛 go through those experiences don鈥檛 always feel inclined to give. They don鈥檛 always feel inclined to help,鈥 James said. 鈥淏ut when you truly realize your gift is helping others to pursue their dreams, it is giving them a chance they didn鈥檛 even know existed, and this is what creates real joy that鈥檚 sustainable.鈥

It not only can make the biggest difference in someone鈥檚 world, but it can move them from setback to breakthrough 鈥 and get a real chance at happily ever after.  

Our students need your support today. Give to the this Giving Tuesday and you will be helping students, just like Natalie James, when the unthinkable happens.


 

POSTED: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 02:58 PM
Updated: Friday, December 9, 2022 04:26 PM
WRITTEN BY:
麻豆视频 at Stark