Help a Veteran Get His
Teaching License
Plainfield, NJ -- March 25, 2015 -- DeRay Shawn, military
veteran and college student, announces the campaign to seek funding to cover the
cost of finishing his teaching degree and getting his teaching license.
DeRay has suffered a great deal in his life. Being raised by
his grandparents in a less than safe neighborhood, DeRay
saw his share of hardship, death and despair. Despite successfully fighting his
way through high school and making it into college, DeRay suffered a major car
accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
that both required significant rehabilitation and recovery efforts before he
was able to return to his regular life. With all of these setbacks DeRay was
still not deterred, and not only finished with his Bachelor’s Degree, but
continued on to pursue his Master’s Degree in education.
This is where things took a turn for the worse. Due to an
error created by his college’s new accounting system, suddenly DeRay found
himself with a past due balance of $2,500, none of which he had in cash or
credit to pay back. Although he attempted to work out a payment plan or use the
GI bill (military benefits that can be used towards college credits), he was
told he had to pay his balance in full or risk being disenrolled mid-semester.
At the same time, he was also diagnosed with worrisome masses on his thyroid
that his doctors expressed great concern over. On top of all this, a job he
truly cared about, working as a youth counselor, ended suddenly and he was not
offered a full-time position. DeRay spent the following year nearly homeless
and destitute, begging for friends and family to put him up for a few nights on
their couches before moving on.
Luckily for DeRay, he has spent the last 6 months slowly
paying back some of his debt through a call center operator position, where he
has done very well and has enjoyed his work. He has finally been able to pay
off the past due amount and is able to re-enroll in college to complete his
degree.
DeRay is seeking funding in the amount of $50,000 to cover
his bills as well as the tuition that will not be covered by the remaining 7
months of his GI bill benefits. DeRay’s goal is to complete his education and
apply for his teaching license, giving him the opportunity to work with at-risk
youth at a larger capacity that he had been able to as a youth counselor.
Please considering donating to help a military veteran reach
his dreams after years of hardship.
For more information
or to learn more about DeRay Shawn, please visit:
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