psychology major and health and wellness minor
“Both of my part-time jobs at the Asheville mall closed when COVID-19 hit,” shares senior Lillie Bailey. “As a type-one diabetic, most of my paychecks go to pay for insulin. Suddenly, my source of income to pay for my expensive diabetes medicine was gone. I didn’t make enough to qualify for unemployment benefits and I was left in a challenging place.”
For UNC Asheville students like Lillie, when courses moved to online instruction in March in order to protect the health and well-being of the campus community, this change brought more than sadness over missing the last few weeks of her senior year. It brought financial hardship and stress that made it difficult to concentrate on her courses.
Thanks to the ongoing generosity of alumni, parents, and friends, the Student Emergency Fund has been a source of hope and vital support for students like Lillie. From providing off-campus housing to healthy meals to counseling services, the Student Emergency fund enables our faculty and staff to quickly respond to student emergencies and needs that arise during this time.
As more students and their families face job furloughs, medical emergencies, and financial strain, the Student Emergency Fund is needed now more than ever to provide holistic support to ensure our students’ success in the virtual classroom and in all aspects of their lives.
“I appreciate all of the donors who made the Student Emergency Fund available to students like me,” says Lillie. “Even before COVID-19, with a newly single mom and a brother at home, I was worried about my family’s finances. I was put in a bad position when I was out of work, as most companies still expect you to pay medical bills in full even during the pandemic. When I received the Student Emergency Fund support, I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to tell my mom. It was truly a blessing.”
With her immediate medical bills covered, Lillie feels fortunate that she will be graduating soon and is working hard to get into a local graduate program. At UNC Asheville, she has paired her psychology major with a health and wellness minor and plans to one day open up her own counseling practice.
“When things are back to normal and I am able to work, I plan to give back to this fund to help other students,” shares Lillie.
Explore more stories just like Lillie to see the impact gifts to the Student Emergency Fund have on our students during this exceptionally challenging time. You can make an immediate impact by supporting the Student Emergency Fund today through the Bulldogs Wherever We Are Campaign.
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