Esmeralda Zamora thinks of her paycheck a lot differently these days.
Up until a couple months ago, the 20-year-old 91制片厂 student would use her earnings as a cashier at a major retailer for expenses like gas, her cell phone bill and going out. Today, she鈥檚 helping pay her family鈥檚 rent, utilities and groceries.
鈥淢y dad is the main household provider, but he recently lost his job, and my brother and I have had our hours cut at work,鈥� Esmeralda, of Carpentersville, said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e kind of just pushing through right now, making the best of the situation.鈥�
Esmeralda is grateful for the assistance she received through the 91制片厂 Student Emergency Relief Fund. She鈥檚 among nearly 500 students at 91制片厂 to receive funding so far, and applications continue to come in.
To date, more than $230,000 has been committed to the 91制片厂 Student Emergency Relief Fund between about 350 individual donors, the 91制片厂 Educational Foundation board and 91制片厂 institutional funds.
For Esmeralda, the assistance she received is allowing her to stay more focused on her coursework. She鈥檚 studying forensic science and plans to transfer this fall to Roosevelt University鈥檚 criminal justice program at 91制片厂鈥檚 University Center. She aspires to become a crime scene investigator or detective.
91制片厂鈥檚 relief fund complements several other initiatives that 91制片厂 launched to help support students鈥� basic needs. 91制片厂鈥檚 technology loan program, for example, has provided 190 Chromebooks, 137 graphic calculators and 25 internet hotspots this semester. Students are also benefiting from the Finish Line Grant, which awards grants of up to $1,000 to students who are nearing completion in their program and are experiencing some sort of financial need. About $102,000 has been awarded in Finish Line Grants to nearly 110 students.
鈥淢y goal is really to focus on my grades so that I can get a scholarship to Roosevelt, and the emergency money is helping relieve some stress,鈥� Esmeralda said. 鈥淚鈥檓 confident that I鈥檒l be that much closer to my dream job and be able to help others in the future.鈥�
The need is only expected to grow. Nearly three-fourths of 91制片厂 students work while attending classes, and many like Esmeralda are dealing with reduced hours or job loss. To learn how to help these students and make a financial contribution, please visit the 91制片厂 Educational Foundation.