My story is about my daughter. She is a young adult who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education. She was unable to find a teaching job and has been working at temporary positions for several years. She did receive loans and grants for her education but also worked throughout her college career. Because of her student loans, her credit has been destroyed. She has lost hope and is beginning to feel that she is “less than” other people her own age. All she ever wanted was to be a teacher and have a positive effect on the lives of young people. I would do anything to help her, but I am a widow on a fixed income. She is such a bright, compassionate person with so much to offer, but because of her debt, she feels she doesn’t have a future. Debt influences every aspect of her life in such a negative way. What a sad commentary on our socio-economic system. Her story is so depressing and I know there are many others who face the same circumstances. What can be done to help these young people?

-Susan Taylor-