Day 3 - Filling In The Blanks

So, I've received fantastic support from friends and strangers alike and it has given me an amazing sense of hope! Thank you to those who have donated and thank you to those who have helped spread the word!

I've received some great questions and suggestions from the public. I wanted to take a moment to clarify my goals a little bit further based on some of these questions so that everyone can understand exactly what my plan entails.

The Goal - To raise $40,000. This will cover 2 years worth of tuition at a 4 year college. The school I have been accepted to is Columbia College in Chicago. It is a private arts college in the city and you can find out more information about them here. I will be working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theater Directing. Afterwards I would like pursue a career in education within some of Chicago's lower income and alternative public schools

The Challenge - Based on my current family and financial situation I don't qualify for financial aid outside of a few Stafford loans and private loans, which are of course quite limited. I've been applying to every scholarship presently available to an adult student, but the numbers are few and far between. I chose to only raise enough money to cover half of my four year tuition because I'd like to hold some of my own responsibility in the funding process. I don't believe that many things can happen for free and as amazing as it would be to have my entire four years of school covered by donations, I preferred to aim for a more humble amount that would still make a significant difference.

The Accountability - I stated in my video that I would be documenting my progress within Columbia College and I intend to keep that promise by posting a bi-weekly Video Blog available on this site as well as on You Tube. They will showcase progress reports, upcoming pojects and other related content from the school. A spending record will be available through a Receipt Archive on this blog, which will host images of every receipt related to this fundraising account. In short I'd like to keep an overall monthly statement of the account so that everyone can feel safe that their money is being used properly. Depending on the number of contributors, Ill be sending out e-mails (to those not listed as followers) announcing an update, much like a newsletter.

Giving Back - As I also stated in my video and earlier in this post, after graduation I'd like to begin my career in Arts Education. I want to teach high school theater/drama and I would eventually like to attain my Masters so that I may continue on to teach Theatre within a local Community College. I also have a lot of extended project ideas for developing scholarship opportunities to other adults in my situation, but I'm trying to take it one step at a time!

There is no way to know where the road will ever take you, but I am laying down a solid foundation and a direct path to my goals. I intend to follow that path through thick and thin until I have accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. As my friends, family and co-workers will surely tell you - I am very resilient and I do NOT give up easily.

I hope that this post will shed some light on a clearer copy of my plan and if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to leave a comment or send an e-mail. This is very important to me and I want it to be very important to others.

We've made it to $205 in donations as of today and I couldn't be more excited! Please keep those donations coming through pay pal! If you don not have a credit/debit card or would prefer to make a donation outside of the internet, please just send me an e-mail and we can work out the logistics - BiancaDCollegeDream@gmail.com

Thank you all again and keep the dream alive, like The Beatles said, "All you need is love"

Day 2 - Hitting The Ground Running!

Here it is ladies and gentlemen. Take it or leave it. Hopefully you'll be able to take it AND leave it! Ha Ha Get it, leave it, as in a DONATION! That's just a taste of what's to come, please be excited :)

Day 1 - The First Step Is Always The Hardest

Today is the day before I launch my video. It's probably one of the most nerve racking times in my life. I've been thinking about this, and working on this project for over a month now and to be very honest, I can't believe I'm actually doing it.

For me this is a huge risk, and like most people I highly fear the public's negative reactions and/or rejections. I don't even know if anyone will watch it, or better yet donate...but the way I see it, and justify it to myself it this:

There are millions of people in the world, some who need money, and some who have money to spare. Regardless of negative reactions this was an opportunity I just had to take advantage of. I'm putting myself out there for everyone to see and to judge, with the hope that they may understand my goal and share my dreams for success. I've seen videos where people just ask for money because they want to know what it feels like to be a millionaire, or because they can't afford their dream wedding. I'm asking for money to be able to afford an above and beyond education, which I feel every single person deserves.

I know a lot of people will argue that I'm asking for FREE money, but I don't feel that way at all. I'm offering highly accessible documentation so that those who contribute can feel safe that their money is going towards the proper cause. I want to be continually held accountable for my actions up until graduation and beyond.

I'm also offering a future service to join the millions of UNDERPAID and OVERWORKED Educators who just want to make a difference in their world. I want to share my passion for the arts with students who haven't quite figured out their way. I want to inspire them to seek higher education and demand the very best that life can give. As much as I didn't want to admit it then, that's exactly what my teachers did for me, they never gave up.

This endeavor wouldn't be happening if I didn't believe in it, and I do. Very much so. I believe in you, and I believe in the power of community and unity and support. I just hope that you can also believe.