2 minute read
Community Rallies to Support Student Emergency Fund
Angela Muscheru, ’24, business, with her sons, Justin, 14, Mihail, 4, Cristian Jr., 10, and Adrian, 8.
The pandemic made the fund more important than ever.
Even in a normal year, many GGC students face shortterm financial hurdles that threaten their education. For several years, the Student Emergency Fund has provided small grants to help students in need handle immediate expenses for basic necessities that would otherwise cause them to drop out of school. “Sometimes, a student may be a little short of paying for tuition or books,” said Chrissy Rosen, executive director of Individual Engagement. “They also may struggle with transportation, shelter, food, medications and utilities.” Due to the economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, students’ needs increased dramatically. Some lack gas money to get to work or class.
To support the GGC Student Emergency Fund, visit www.ggc.edu/give
Some lost much or all of their income due to reduced hours, furloughs or layoffs. Some cannot obtain help from their families, who face similar challenges as entire households have lost their jobs. Others are couch-surfing or have become homeless. In response, the GGC Foundation launched a fundraising campaign in 2020 to build up the Student Emergency Fund. The GGC community responded with donations from hundreds of local citizens, faculty, staff, alumni, students and members of the GGC Foundation board of trustees and School of Business board of visitors.
The Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust, the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund made significant contributions to the campaign, which surpassed its $100,000 goal. This support made a real difference for students, including Angela Muscheru, ’24, business. Once the pandemic hit, she lost her job, making her husband’s job the sole income for their family of six. Muscheru thought she would have to put her degree on hold, but the fund helped with rent, daycare and other expenses. “This past year has impacted students like no other,” said Jennifer Hendrickson, associate vice president for Advancement. “The GGC community’s generosity has allowed students like Angela to focus on their education during the most trying of times.” As the pandemic continues, so do students’ requests for help. “We welcome gifts of any size to the Student Emergency Fund,” said Rosen. “We don’t want to see any student derail their education and their future over a financial shortfall.”
“I want to thank the donors. They helped build a dream for somebody like me,” said Muscheru. “I want them to know that they are changing lives.”
