Scholarship Committee, Two and a half years ago, I reached a point in my life where I no longer recognized myself. After surviving a head‑on collision with an uninsured drunk driver, I was left with a broken neck, chronic pain, and the sudden loss of the radiology career I had built over decades. The physical injuries were overwhelming, but the emotional impact was even more devastating. I felt grief, fear, and a deep sense of disorientation as I tried to rebuild a life that no longer resembled the one I had before. In that vulnerable space, alcohol became the way I tried to cope. What began as an attempt to numb pain slowly became a pattern that pulled me further from the person I wanted to be. My addiction was not dramatic or chaotic on the surface, but internally it was consuming. I isolated myself, withdrew from people who cared about me, and felt ashamed of how far I had fallen. The turning point came when I realized that if I didn’t choose a different path, I would lose everything — not just my health, but my sense of purpose and the relationships that mattered most. Entering rehab was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it was also the most life‑changing. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who understood what it meant to struggle, to feel broken, and to still want something better. Rehab gave me the tools to rebuild my life with honesty and intention. It also opened my eyes to how many people are fighting battles that others never see. I met individuals who had been dismissed, judged, or misunderstood by systems that were supposed to help them. Their stories stayed with me. I realized that addiction is not a moral failure — it is a human response to pain, trauma, and unmet needs. That understanding became the foundation of my recovery and the beginning of a new calling. Since becoming sober, my life has changed in ways I never imagined. I returned to college at 59 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I am now in my final term with a 3.849 GPA. Education has given me purpose again. It has allowed me to pair my lived experience with academic knowledge, and it has shown me that it is never too late to start over. Sobriety has also restored my relationships, strengthened my resilience, and given me a sense of clarity about the work I want to do in the world. My goal is to become a licensed counselor specializing in trauma, addiction, and harm reduction. I want to support people who feel lost, ashamed, or afraid to ask for help — the very feelings I once carried myself. I currently work in community care, supporting individuals facing crisis, instability, and trauma. Every day, I see how much it matters when someone is met with compassion instead of judgment. I want to continue that work with deeper training and the ability to provide long‑term, evidence‑based support. This scholarship would significantly ease the financial strain of completing my degree while managing chronic pain, medical bills, and the realities of starting over later in life. It would help me continue my education without interruption and move more quickly into the work I feel called to do. My sobriety gave me a second chance at life, and my education is helping me turn that second chance into something meaningful — not just for myself, but for the people I hope to serve. Thank you for considering my application. Dawn Loughmiller

My life changed the day I realized that the very thing that nearly destroyed me would become the foundation of the work I feel called to do. I never expected addiction to shape my future, but it has become the reason I show up every day with purpose, compassion, and a fierce commitment to helping others find their way back to themselves. My struggle with alcohol began after a traumatic car accident that left me with a broken neck, chronic pain, and a life I no longer recognized. I had been a radiology technologist with a career I loved, but the injuries made returning to that work impossible. The physical pain was relentless, but the emotional pain was worse. Depression crept in quietly and then all at once, and alcohol became the only thing that seemed to quiet the grief, fear, and hopelessness I carried. What started as a way to numb the pain quickly became a way of surviving, and eventually, a way of disappearing. The turning point came when I realized I was losing myself entirely. I entered rehab, terrified but determined, and it was there that I began to understand addiction not as a moral failing but as a response to trauma, pain, and unmet needs. Rehab was not a single moment of transformation but a long, humbling process of rebuilding my life piece by piece. I moved into sober living, committed to therapy, and slowly learned how to live without numbing myself. Today, I am two and a half years sober, and every day of sobriety has taught me something about resilience, honesty, and the power of community. My experience with addiction didn’t just change my life—it redirected it. At 60 years old, I returned to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in addiction studies. What began as a personal healing journey became a professional calling. I discovered that my lived experience gave me a unique ability to connect with people who feel ashamed, isolated, or afraid to ask for help. I understand the desperation that drives substance use, the stigma that silences people, and the courage it takes to start over. I now work as a trauma‑informed care coordinator supporting unhoused clients, many of whom struggle with substance use. Every day, I meet people who remind me of earlier versions of myself—people who are hurting, people who are trying, people who deserve dignity and compassion. My past allows me to sit with them without judgment and to offer the kind of presence I once needed: steady, patient, and real. My goal is to continue my education and earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology so I can become a licensed counselor specializing in addiction and trauma. I want to provide evidence‑based care grounded in empathy, harm reduction, and cultural humility. I want to help people understand that recovery is not about perfection—it’s about possibility. This scholarship would help ease the financial strain of continuing my education while working in a field that is deeply meaningful but not always financially stable. More importantly, it would honor the spirit of people like Deanna—those who give to others even while carrying their own pain. I hope to carry that same spirit forward in my work. My experience with addiction has shaped every part of who I am today. It broke me open, rebuilt me, and gave me a purpose I never expected. Now, I want to use my education, my training, and my lived experience to help others reclaim their lives, just as I reclaimed mine.

Scholarship Committee, Two and a half years ago, I reached a point in my life where I no longer recognized myself. After surviving a head‑on collision with an uninsured drunk driver, I was left with a broken neck, chronic pain, and the sudden loss of the radiology career I had built over decades. The physical injuries were overwhelming, but the emotional impact was even more devastating. I felt grief, fear, and a deep sense of disorientation as I tried to rebuild a life that no longer resembled the one I had before. In that vulnerable space, alcohol became the way I tried to cope. What began as an attempt to numb pain slowly became a pattern that pulled me further from the person I wanted to be. My addiction was not dramatic or chaotic on the surface, but internally it was consuming. I isolated myself, withdrew from people who cared about me, and felt ashamed of how far I had fallen. The turning point came when I realized that if I didn’t choose a different path, I would lose everything — not just my health, but my sense of purpose and the relationships that mattered most. Entering rehab was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it was also the most life‑changing. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who understood what it meant to struggle, to feel broken, and to still want something better. Rehab gave me the tools to rebuild my life with honesty and intention. It also opened my eyes to how many people are fighting battles that others never see. I met individuals who had been dismissed, judged, or misunderstood by systems that were supposed to help them. Their stories stayed with me. I realized that addiction is not a moral failure — it is a human response to pain, trauma, and unmet needs. That understanding became the foundation of my recovery and the beginning of a new calling. Since becoming sober, my life has changed in ways I never imagined. I returned to college at 59 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I am now in my final term with a 3.849 GPA. Education has given me purpose again. It has allowed me to pair my lived experience with academic knowledge, and it has shown me that it is never too late to start over. Sobriety has also restored my relationships, strengthened my resilience, and given me a sense of clarity about the work I want to do in the world. My goal is to become a licensed counselor specializing in trauma, addiction, and harm reduction. I want to support people who feel lost, ashamed, or afraid to ask for help — the very feelings I once carried myself. I currently work in community care, supporting individuals facing crisis, instability, and trauma. Every day, I see how much it matters when someone is met with compassion instead of judgment. I want to continue that work with deeper training and the ability to provide long‑term, evidence‑based support. This scholarship would significantly ease the financial strain of completing my degree while managing chronic pain, medical bills, and the realities of starting over later in life. It would help me continue my education without interruption and move more quickly into the work I feel called to do. My sobriety gave me a second chance at life, and my education is helping me turn that second chance into something meaningful — not just for myself, but for the people I hope to serve. Thank you for considering my application. Dawn Loughmiller

Star Farm Scholarship Committee, I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology and preparing to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology. My goal is to become a licensed counselor specializing in trauma, addiction, and family support. Although I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, my life has been shaped by loving, supporting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals — especially my son, who came out as gay as a teenager. Walking beside him through moments of fear, rejection, and resilience opened my eyes to the unique challenges LGBTQ+ youth face, and it strengthened my commitment to creating safer, more affirming spaces for them. My return to college at 59 was not something I ever expected. Four and a half years ago, an uninsured drunk driver hit my vehicle and left me with a broken neck, chronic pain, and the sudden end of my radiology career. The physical and emotional fallout led me into depression and alcohol misuse, and entering rehab became the turning point that allowed me to rebuild my life. In recovery, I met many LGBTQ+ individuals who had been pushed out of families, communities, or faith traditions simply for being who they are. Their stories stayed with me. I realized how deeply our systems fail people who are already vulnerable, and I knew I wanted to be part of changing that. My son’s experience also shaped my values. I saw how much it mattered when even one adult treated him with dignity, listened without judgment, and affirmed his identity. I also saw the harm caused when others did the opposite. Those moments taught me that acceptance is not passive — it is an active choice to stand with people, speak up for them, and help create environments where they can thrive. That is the kind of counselor I want to be. I currently work in community care, supporting individuals facing trauma, instability, and crisis. Many of the people I serve are LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who have experienced rejection, homelessness, or discrimination. I approach each person with empathy, cultural humility, and a trauma informed lens. I want them to feel seen, respected, and safe — especially in moments when the world has not been kind to them. I also hope to expand my advocacy by working with families, helping them understand how acceptance, language, and support can dramatically improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. I absolutely see myself giving back to the LGBTQ+ community throughout my career. I want to provide counseling that is affirming, accessible, and grounded in harm reduction. I want to help families heal, rebuild trust, and learn how to support their LGBTQ+ children with love rather than fear. And I want to contribute to community programs that offer safe spaces, mentorship, and mental health resources for LGBTQ+ youth who may not have support at home. Financially, returning to school later in life has been challenging. Medical bills, chronic pain, and periods of limited work capacity have created ongoing hardship. I live alone and support myself while balancing full time work with full time school. This scholarship would significantly reduce the financial strain of completing my degree and allow me to continue my education without interruption. It would also help me move more quickly into the work I feel called to do — supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and families with compassion, evidence based care, and unwavering respect. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting students who are committed to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. Dawn Loughmiller (530)276-5081

Brian J. Boley Memorial Scholarship Committee, I did not set out to become a mental health professional at sixty years old. Life pushed me toward this path through pain, loss, and ultimately, a profound awakening. Four and a half years ago, an uninsured drunk driver hit my vehicle and left me with a broken neck, chronic pain, and the sudden end of the radiology career I had built over decades. The physical injuries were devastating, but the emotional fallout was even harder. I spiraled into depression, grief, and eventually alcohol misuse as I tried to cope with the life I no longer recognized. Entering rehab was the moment everything shifted. Surrounded by people fighting for their lives, I realized how deeply our system fails those who are struggling — and how urgently we need more compassionate, trauma informed professionals who understand the human story behind addiction and mental illness. That realization led me back to college at 59. Like Brian, I know what it feels like to be caught in the intersection of mental illness and addiction, and how easily people can fall through the cracks. I returned to school because I want to be part of the solution. I am now completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a 3.849 GPA, and I plan to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology so I can become a licensed counselor specializing in trauma, addiction, and harm reduction. My lived experience is not a burden, it is my compass. It allows me to meet people where they are, without judgment, and to see their potential even when they cannot see it themselves. The mental health system failed Brian, just as it has failed countless others. Too often, people are treated as problems to be managed rather than human beings in pain. I want to help change that. My vision is to create spaces where individuals feel safe enough to tell the truth about their struggles, where they are met with dignity rather than shame, and where treatment is collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in compassion. I want to advocate for integrated care models that address mental health and substance use together, instead of forcing people to navigate two disconnected systems. I also hope to work with families, helping them understand addiction not as a moral failing but as a complex, treatable condition that requires support, education, and patience. I currently work in community care, supporting individuals facing trauma, instability, and crisis. Every day, I see the consequences of underfunded mental health services, long waitlists, and the stigma that keeps people from seeking help. But I also see resilience. I see people who want to heal but don’t know where to begin. My goal is to be the person I needed during my darkest moments, someone who listens, believes, and walks alongside people as they rebuild their lives. This scholarship would ease the financial strain of completing my degree while managing chronic pain, medical bills, and the realities of starting over later in life. It would allow me to continue my education without interruption and move more quickly into the work I feel called to do. More importantly, it would honor Brian’s legacy by supporting someone committed to preventing others from experiencing the same gaps in care that contributed to his loss. I am pursuing a career in mental health because I believe every life has value, every story matters, and every person deserves a chance to heal. Thank you for considering my application and for honoring Brian’s memory in a way that will help others find hope. Thank you, Dawn Loughmiller

To the Debra S. Jackson Scholarship Committee, Almost five years ago, my life changed in a single moment when an uninsured drunk driver struck my vehicle and left me with a broken neck and multiple injuries. At 58 years old, I found myself unable to return to the radiology career I had built over decades. The physical pain was constant, but the emotional toll was even heavier. I spiraled into depression, and for a time, I used alcohol to numb the grief of losing the life I once knew. Entering rehab was the turning point that allowed me to rebuild my life with honesty, humility, and intention. It was there, surrounded by people fighting their own battles, that I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life helping others reclaim their sense of worth and possibility. Returning to college at 59 was not part of my original plan, but it became the most meaningful decision I have ever made. Like Debra S. Jackson, I discovered that education can transform a life at any age. Enrolling in a bachelor’s program in psychology gave me purpose again. It allowed me to pair my lived experience with academic knowledge, and it reminded me that growth does not end simply because we reach a certain age. I am now in my final term, maintaining a 3.849 GPA and a proud member of the Academic Honor Society. Every class, every late-night assignment, and every discussion post has strengthened my belief that second chances are not only possible — they are powerful. My journey through injury, depression, and recovery has shaped my deepest values: dignity, compassion, and the belief that no one is beyond hope. These experiences have also shaped my career aspirations. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology and become a licensed counselor specializing in trauma, addiction, and harm reduction. I want to support individuals who feel ashamed, isolated, or afraid to ask for help — the very feelings I once carried myself. My goal is to create judgment-free spaces where people can heal at their own pace and rediscover their strengths. I also hope to contribute to community-based programs that support families affected by addiction, offering practical resources, emotional support, and culturally responsive care. My commitment to service extends beyond the classroom. I currently work in community care, supporting individuals facing trauma, instability, and crisis. I approach every interaction with empathy and respect, knowing how much it meant when others treated me with dignity during my most vulnerable moments. I also volunteer whenever possible, offering peer support and sharing my story to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use. I believe that healing is a community effort, and I want to be part of building systems that uplift people rather than punish them for their struggles. This scholarship would significantly reduce the financial strain that comes with balancing full-time work, chronic pain, and the final stretch of my degree. Medical bills, therapy costs, and periods of limited work capacity have created ongoing financial challenges. Receiving this support would allow me to complete my bachelor’s degree on time and move forward into graduate training without delay. More importantly, it would honor the spirit of second chances that Debra S. Jackson embodied — a spirit that has guided my own journey. I am committed to using my education to make a meaningful impact in my community and to help others find hope, healing, and purpose. Thank you for considering my application. Thank you, Dawn Loughmiller

Dear Arne Hyson Memorial Scholarship Committee, Four and a half years ago, my life changed in an instant. An uninsured drunk driver struck my vehicle, leaving me with a broken neck and multiple injuries that ended my career as a radiology technologist, a profession I loved. The physical pain was constant, but the emotional aftermath was even harder. I fell into severe depression, and in an attempt to cope, I turned to alcohol. Entering rehab and moving into sober living was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it was also the turning point that allowed me to begin rebuilding my life. Returning to school at age 60 was the moment hope returned. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology has given me both academic structure and a renewed sense of purpose. My coursework has provided clinical insight, while my lived experience has strengthened my empathy and commitment to trauma informed care. I am proud to be a member of the Academic Honor Society and to hold a 3.849 GPA, which reflects my determination to excel despite chronic pain, medical setbacks, and periods of limited work capacity. I will graduate in 2 months and plan to continue into a master’s program in counseling. My goal is to support individuals struggling with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Because I have lived through injury, depression, chronic pain, and recovery, I can connect with clients who feel ashamed, isolated, or uncertain about seeking help. I intend to center harm reduction, dignity, and culturally responsive practices in my work so that people feel seen, respected, and supported as they rebuild their lives. Financially, the past several years has been difficult. Medical care, therapy, and inconsistent earnings due to pain and appointments have created ongoing hardship. A $2,000 scholarship would significantly reduce the financial strain that threatens to delay my graduation and slow my path toward graduate training and licensure. Beyond my academic goals, I am committed to giving back through volunteering and peer support, offering the same compassion and guidance that helped me through my darkest moments. I bring resilience, academic discipline, and firsthand knowledge of recovery to the field of mental health. With your support, I will complete my degree on time, continue into graduate school, and dedicate my career to helping others reclaim their lives after trauma and addiction. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Dawn Loughmiller Shasta Lake, CA (530) 276 5081 Dawn.loughmiller@yahoo.com

Dear Therapist Impact Fund Selection Committee, My life changed when an uninsured drunk driver struck my vehicle. I was a radiology technologist with a career I loved; the collision left me with a broken neck and multiple injuries that made returning to my former job impossible. Constant physical pain and the emotional toll plunged me into severe depression. To numb that pain, I turned to alcohol, entered rehab, and lived in sober housing while beginning long-term therapy. Recovery has been a steady, intentional journey. Returning to school at 60 to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology gave my life renewed purpose. The curriculum has provided clinical knowledge and practical frameworks, while my lived experience has deepened my empathy and commitment to trauma-informed care. I am a member of the Academic Honor Society and currently hold a 3.849 GPA, evidence that despite pain, setbacks, and interrupted work, I have remained academically disciplined and focused. I will graduate in five months and plan to pursue a master’s degree in counseling so I can provide evidence-based support to people struggling with mental health and substance use. How my lived experience shaped my decision and the provider I hope to become My injury, chronic pain, depression, and recovery taught me how fragile access to care can be and how transformative compassionate, nonjudgmental support is. I learned crisis stabilization, relapse prevention, pacing interventions around pain, and navigating fragmented systems, and I developed human skills of deep listening, patience, and humility. These experiences shape my practice: I will be trauma-informed, harm-reduction-oriented, and client-centered. I will respect lived experience as expertise and adapt interventions to accommodate chronic pain, disability, and socioeconomic constraints so clients can make sustainable progress on their own terms. One change to improve access, equity, and inclusion I would expand and fund community-centered integrated mental health hubs that remove gatekeeping and bundle services around real needs. Hubs would colocate low-cost counseling, peer support, substance use harm reduction services, case management, benefits navigation, transportation assistance, and flexible scheduling. They would offer walk-in hours, mobile outreach, telehealth, and care in multiple languages. Prioritizing peers with lived experience and trauma-informed training would reduce stigma and improve engagement. This model lowers barriers related to cost, waitlists, transportation, and inflexible hours and reshapes the system to meet people where they are. Teletherapy: benefits, challenges, and paths to innovation Teletherapy increases geographic access for rural and mobility-limited clients, offers scheduling flexibility, and supports stepped or blended care that preserves continuity. Yet the digital divide, unreliable internet, lack of devices, and low digital literacy create new inequities. Privacy and safety are concerns for clients in shared or unsafe homes, and some trauma work is clinically harder to do remotely. Reimbursement and licensure fragmentation further limit access. To strengthen teletherapy, we should fund low-cost devices and subsidized broadband paired with digital literacy training and tech support. Develop hybrid care pathways so clients can choose in-person, virtual, or blended formats. Invest in secure, low-bandwidth platforms and asynchronous options (secure messaging, recorded psychoeducation) to help those with intermittent connectivity. Train clinicians in culturally responsive telepractice and remote safety planning and pursue policy changes that expand licensure reciprocity and fair reimbursement. Technology must be paired with funding and flexible clinical models so teletherapy narrows rather than widens access gaps. Financially, ongoing medical care, therapy, and limited work capacity create hardship for me. A $1,000 scholarship would reduce the barrier that threatens to delay my graduation and slow my path to graduate training and licensure, allowing me to focus on finishing my degree and preparing for practicum. Sincerely, Dawn Loughmiller (530) 276-5081 Dawn.loughmiller@yahoo.com

Ethan To Scholarship Committee, Four and a half years ago, my life changed in an instant when an uninsured drunk driver struck my vehicle. I was a radiology technologist with a career I loved; the collision left me with a broken neck and multiple injuries that made returning to my former job impossible. The physical pain was constant, and the emotional toll plunged me into severe depression. To numb that pain, I turned to alcohol, and ultimately, I made the hard but necessary decision to enter rehab and move into sober living while beginning long-term therapy. Recovery has been a steady, intentional journey. Returning to school at the age of 60 to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology was the moment my life began to feel purposeful again. The curriculum has given me clinical knowledge and frameworks, while my lived experience has deepened my empathy and commitment to trauma-informed care. I am proud to be a member of the Academic Honor Society, and I currently hold a 3.849 GPA, evidence that despite pain, setbacks, and interrupted work, I have remained academically disciplined and focused. I will graduate in five months and plan to pursue a master’s degree in counseling so I can provide meaningful, evidence-based support to people struggling with mental health and substance use. My experience with injury, chronic pain, depression, and recovery allows me to connect with clients who may feel ashamed, isolated, or skeptical about seeking help. I intend to center harm reduction, dignity, and culturally responsive practices in my work, helping clients stabilize their lives and move toward their goals. Financially, the past years of medical care, therapy, and periods of limited work capacity have created ongoing hardship. Erratic earnings due to pain and appointments have made it difficult to cover tuition and related educational expenses. A $1,000 scholarship would meaningfully reduce the financial barrier that threatens to delay my graduation and slow my path to graduate training and licensure. Beyond my academic goals, I am committed to giving back to my community through volunteering and peer support, offering the practical and emotional resources I once needed. I bring resilience, academic excellence, and firsthand knowledge of recovery to the field of mental health. With this support, I will finish my degree on time, begin graduate training, and dedicate my career to helping others reclaim their lives after trauma and addiction. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Dawn Loughmiller Shasta Lake, CA (530)276-5081 Dawn.loughmiller@yahoo.com