Itiyopiya's MSW Funding

Please support Itiyopiya Ewart in continuuing to attend Western Carolina University’s Social Work program this Spring 2020! She has been working hard during her first semester- earning high grades, getting big praise and also managing the stress of school, family, and the traumatic information and advocacy work within the MSW program itself. We are seeking support for $9,000 of the $20,000 total first-year cost of the full-time, 2 year Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The cost includes tuition, books and child care for her 2 children, Trelawney and Tatek (ages 21 -months and 7 -years old). She will be eligible for more grants and scholarships for her second year, but cannot begin applying until Feb 2020.

Itiyopiya intends to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and will root her work in Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma-Related Mental Health. Itiyopiya believes that “understanding and healing our own personal trauma will help to grow empathy for ourselves which can be reciprocated to others.” She demonstrates her commitment to building a just and equitable Asheville through her work within various community social justice movements. Through supporting her vision of obtaining an MSW, we will uplift an already engaged and valued African-American community leader. Councilperson Sheneika Smith says “Itiyopiya is a community treasure; a brilliant thinker with a golden heart. The mastery she displays in social policy, government administration, childhood education and community resiliency is invaluable. This degree of passion, forward thinking and bold leadership is most needed at this time. She is so worthy of our support!"

For Itiyopiya's first Master's degree in Teaching, she successfully yet stressfully "hustled" her way through school as a single mother of a young child. Our invitation and hope with this campaign is that she will not have to experience similar hardship as she obtains her MSW., particularly in avoiding additional student loans that hinder so many students, and especially students of color. Please join in the support of Itiyopiya as she lives into her dreams!

Offers for financial contributions and conversations are welcome-- please contact Robin (robin.funsten@gmail.com) or Eleanor (elane@northstarlane.com) to screen questions regarding financing beyond this fundraiser.