Plainfield, NJ — March 30, 2015 — Darnell Knight, 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.

Darnell has suffered a great deal in his life. Being raised by his grandparents in a less than safe neighborhood, Darnell saw his share of hardship, death and despair. Despite successfully fighting his way through high school and making it into college, Darnell 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 Darnell 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 Darnell 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. Darnell 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 Darnell, 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.

Darnell 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. Darnell’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 Darnell Knight, please visit: www.gofundme.com

Contact
Darnell Knight
Plainfield, NJ
www.gofundme.com