I was heartbroken along with much of the world when we lost Michael. I never knew all the wonderful things Michael did in support of so many until he was no longer with us. There will never be another Michael Jackson let alone another KING OF POP WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO SO MANY. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MICHAEL.

Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you along with my request for financial support to continue my educational climb without interruption due to lack of funds.

My name is Pecola Colby. I am a single/divorced African American female, sixty four year old. I returned to college in the Fall of 2008. More specifically after a twenty seven year absence, I entered South Puget Sound Community College in Tumwater, Washington.

When I applied to go back to college in 2007, I was employed and did not qualify for financial aid. In July 2008 I lost my job, however I was determined to continue my goal toward a Doctorate in Social Work. Consequently, I had to take a loan for tuition and books to accommodate my first year of school. Also, I lost my home to foreclosure five years ago.

As an African American woman at sixty-four years old, I am a testimony to the challenges and yes resilence related to me being socioeconomically and ethnically challenged when comparing me to the dominant culture. My observation and/or perception with social services programs is that of a system at times, lacks fairness, responsiveness and accountability to some of the families they serve. I believe it is imperative that social workers remain accessible to families for support, to establish at all costs, courtesy with integrity and respect for all people regardless of race or culture. Trust is essential and this is one way to build trust. Further, it is necessary to take appropriate and necessary steps to become as proficient as possible on cultural beliefs with protocol, respect, sensitivity and with care, to recognize cultural barriers, to embrace cultural differences and to learn how best to develop the relationship in order to provide the best possible service care.

My interest and passion then and now is to obtain a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My heart's desire is to become a Social Worker because I am caring, compassionate, sensitive, and believe all families/people are significant, their voices count and should be heard. Futher, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to embrace all families and cultures including attending to their needs and providing multiple levels for services with care. I envision my role as a Social Worker to be a voice for families as they journey through various programs for services and resources in order that they receive the very best with care. I will ensure families are not allowed to wander simply because they have come to believe no one cares about them or their well being. As a Social Worker, I will serve as an Advocate for families when necessary to ensure they receive the services and programs best for them. I will work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources; to support family development and to make certain families are on solid ground; to allow for flexibility; and to recognize emerging family needs and community issues.

At this time in my life there are no obstacles to deter or distract me from achieving a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My vision is clear. I am determined to succeed AND I know I will be an asset as a Social Worker to any organization or organized structural body.

From May 2004 to July 2008 I was employed with the Family Support Center in Olympia, Washington. I served as the Family Resource Specialist and assisted in meeting the needs of low-income families. My responsibilities were to work with families and support them in identifying and prioritizing their needs. I helped them identify the most appropriate resources to meet those needs and empowered them to follow through in accessing those resources. I also served as an advocate for families when necessary and worked with case managers from other agencies to ensure a complete network of services. I am currently unemployed.

My volunteerism also demonstrates my commitment to families and communities. I serve as a volunteer with my church, New Life Baptist Church in Lacey, Washington in many roles and functions. I have successfully brought for more than five years and with the assistance and support of a cadre of medical and non-medical volunteers multiple services and programs to the immediate and surrounding communities in Thurston County. Services and programs such as, The Smilemobile, a dental unit for children in low-income families and fifteen years and younger, a "FREE" Back to School Physical Examination Day, Health Fairs, Walk-a-Thons, etc. I served as Chair-person for the Unity For Excellence Tutorial Program. I serve as Chair-person for the Senior Adult Miniistry at my church. I am an Usher.

My efforts were recognized in the community. In April 2004, I received the Making A Difference in the Life of a Child Award from Thurston County and in June 2004, I received the Unique Achievement Award from the Thurston County Council on Cultural Diversity.

My GPA is 3.1. Again thank you for your time. It has been my privilege to share my thoughts with all of you. Please contact me if further clarification is necessary. Please know I appreciate you immensely and any amount of financial assistance you can provide to me in order that I may continue with school without interruption due to lack of funds.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me at: 9225 Windsor Ln., NE
Apt E-103
Olympia, WA 98516

OR please feel free to email me at: pediandsons@comcast.net

Respectfully,

Pecola L. Colby

We all miss you Micheal Jackson and thank you for all your support you were amazing. You was a big superstar and will always be loved. You have always found a way to help!

Michael Jackson personified the world of both 'talent and tantalizing charisma and he certainly was overtly generous with his philanthropic gifts.
May Michael be remembered for these rarer qualities and all of those(including myself) whose lives he subtlely affected. Om shanthi-Peace..Hazel

MJ, we will miss you so much you was so special you and your great talent. he was the nices person and kindness person in the world. WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL AND WE WILL MISS YOU XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX HUGS AND KISSES

MJ is simply wonderful :)

We should find out WHAT REALLY HAPPENED to Michael Jackson. If they get away with it, then they would keep doing. IT COULD BE DONE TO ONE OF US. We don't need to be successful as Michael Jackson for "someone" to want to have another person's land, a partnership, business, job, shareholder's benefits, powerful position in the community, etc. PEOPLE CAN GRAVE ALL OF THIS AND MORE. WE MUST BE AWARE. We just don't have to live in a mansion and be recognized like Michael Jackson. Just look to the often murder of pregnant women in the headlines. THAT SAYS ALOT. I HOPE THAT WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH. HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN SO DEMANDING REHEARSAL AND GIVING "SURGICAL ANESTHESIA". iT IS INTERESTING THAT THEY DIDN'T NOTICED THAT HE WAS FRAGILE.

I was saddened by the death of this man. I was also saddened the way he was portrayed when he was alive. Chronic illness brings out the worst in all of us,as does aging,loss of friendships loss of popularity and the beauty of youth. He had all of these things happen to him and although he still had his children and fans of a sort, the man just was to depressed to get out from his sorrow and could not shake it off. When you are entering middleage one tends to reflect on the past very often and I think if he even went back 15 or 20 years he didnt see that he was happy or in love, just rich. his nerosises didnt help either.

There are 2 great tragedies happening right now:
1. The media attempts to downplay the real achievements of Michael Jackson
2. The constant focus on the criminal charges.
I thought in this country a person is innocent until proven guilty. He went to court, had a jury of his peers and was found innocent. His crime was that he had to endure the ridicule, harrassment, and torture because he was outside the mainstream. Some money-hungry adults manipulated their own kids to believe they were assaulted by someone who showed true kindness. Those who continue in these action are just as guilty as those who gave him the drugs.

RIP MICHAEL JACKSON