As a special education paraprofessional, I enjoy helping my students reach their full potential. But as a widowed mother, it is extremely difficult to survive financially on the salary, even as I strive to climb the DOE pay scale. To make things worse, the landlord is selling the home I’ve been able to afford, forcing me out, and the current market is insanely high. Living with housing insecurity is draining, but the $10,000 RESPECT check payment would bring some much-needed relief. It would also help alleviate some stress while I work on finishing my degree.

Melissa Miller Kaharl, paraprofessional 
P993@Benjamin N. Cardozo HS, Queens