To me personally having great mental health is about becoming a better you. I’ve been in recovery for over three years now. My mental health has improved dramatically.I started my treatment at the Durham Rescue Mission in Durham NC in 2021. Since that time I have obtained an associates in biblical studies and theology from Carolina College of biblical studies. I also have my North Carolina peer support certification that I obtained in May 2022. I am currently enrolled at Ecpi University in the electrical engineering program with a focus on robotics. For over 25 years, I struggled with a crack and cocaine addiction. 25 years ago the services that we have available today were not around. So individuals suffered with the disease of addiction with no help. In the past 10 years we have seen a change in services and it has helped so many people that have suffered for so long and I am one of those people. So to me, recovery is about becoming a better you. Regardless of your age and I am 40. I am 40 years old returning to college but like I’ve always been told it’s never too late to start over. It’s always too late to never start. I really hope you consider my application. I have apply for financial aid and have received it, but it doesn’t cover the full cost. I applied for student loans and got denied. As a member of the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, I have experienced many challenges as a Native American. One of those challenges is access to educational opportunities that are available to many other people, but individuals in my cultural background have difficulty even applying for because of our financial situation or lack of resources. As a boy, my grandfather always told me to pursue education because we need it in order to survive in a changing world. I’m doing my best to do exactly that and excel in every area of my life, especially in my education. I stay in Robeson county North Carolina an area that leads the state in poverty, violence, and drug overdose. I want to further my education so that I can help my people who are struggling with poverty, violence, and drug addiction. The resources that we have available are very limited but our tribe does its best to combat these issues. The access to affordable education is difficult, considering the fact that our county was once a major agricultural/manufacturer that had a strong work ethic and low tolerance for new ideas. When many manufacturing plants close down, it not only affected the agriculture business but the education because families that depended upon the manufacturing industry had to move and many turned to drugs, alcohol and violence. Many schools closed and state officials didn’t see our county as important so state funding for things like education was very limited. I remember as a boy that certain programs that were offered in other counties were not offered in my county because we did not have the resources simply because we were Native American and we lived in a poor county that had no employment opportunities whatsoever. I have watched our county change over the past 25 years. Our tribe has had to adapt to the ever changing technological and economic developments. Our tribe receives state funding, but it doesn’t receive federal funding because our tribe isn’t federally recognized. We have been fighting for over 60+ years for federal recognition and full rights afforded by the constitution. We are a proud people and we know that if we give in it will not only bring dishonor to our ancestors, but everything that we have fought for will be in vain. I look at the resiliency that my tribe has displayed in fighting for its federal recognition as an inspiration to continue to further my education. I will rise above the obstacles and challenges. I am determined and I am strong. I am currently enrolled at Ecpi university in the electrical engineering technology program. I one day hope to be an electrical engineer and to show others in my community. That you can rise above the obstacles and achieve your dreams if you put in the hard work. I really hope you consider on my application.

As a member of the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, I have experienced many challenges as a Native American. One of those challenges is access to educational opportunities that are available to many other people, but individuals in my cultural background have difficulty even applying for because of our financial situation or lack of resources. As a boy, my grandfather always told me to pursue education because we lived in a white man’s world, and in order to survive we had to have his education. I’m doing my best to do exactly that and excel in every area of my life, especially in my education. I stay in Robeson county North Carolina an area that leads the state in poverty, violence, and drug overdose. I want to further my education so that I can help my people who are struggling with poverty, violence, and drug addiction. The resources that we have available are very limited but our tribe does its best to combat these issues. The access to affordable education is difficult, considering the fact that our county was once a major agricultural/manufacturer that had a strong work ethic and low tolerance for new ideas. When many manufacturing plants close down, it not only affected the agriculture business but the education because families that depended upon the manufacturing industry had to move and many turned to drugs, alcohol and violence. Many schools closed and state officials didn’t see our county as important so state funding for things like education was very limited. I remember as a boy that certain programs that were offered in other counties were not offered in my county because we did not have the resources simply because we were Native American and we lived in a poor county that had no employment opportunities whatsoever. I have watched our county change over the past 25 years. Our tribe has had to adapt to the ever changing technological and economic developments. Our tribe receives state funding, but it doesn’t receive federal funding because our tribe isn’t federally recognized. We have been fighting for over 60+ years for federal recognition and full rights afforded by the constitution. We are a proud people and we know that if we give in it will not only bring dishonor to our ancestors, but everything that we have fought for will be in vain. I look at the resiliency that my tribe has displayed in fighting for its federal recognition as an inspiration to continue to further my education. I will rise above the obstacles and challenges. I am determined and I am strong. I am currently enrolled at Ecpi university in the electrical engineering technology program. I one day hope to be an electrical engineer and to show others in my community. That you can rise above the obstacles and achieve your dreams if you put in the hard work. I really hope you consider on my application.

To me personally recovery is about becoming a better you. I’ve been in recovery for over three years now. I started my treatment at the Durham Rescue Mission in Durham NC in 2021. Since that time I have obtained an associates in biblical studies and theology from Carolina College of biblical studies. I also have my North Carolina peer support certification that I obtained in May 2022. I am currently enrolled at Ecpi University in the electrical engineering program with a focus on robotics. For over 25 years, I struggled with a crack and cocaine addiction. 25 years ago the services that we have available today were not around. So individuals suffered with the disease of addiction with no help. In the past 10 years we have seen a change in services and it has helped so many people that have suffered for so long and I am one of those people. So to me, recovery is about becoming a better you. Regardless of your age and I am 40. I am 40 years old returning to college but like I’ve always been told it’s never too late to start over. It’s always too late to never start. I really hope you consider my application. I have apply for financial aid and have received it, but it doesn’t cover the full cost. I applied for student loans and got denied. So I hope that you consider my application and help me continue to be all I can be.

I work with the Durham Rescue Mission as an Encourager. A Encourager is a person who counsels others through the Word of God, that struggle with substance abuse and homelessness. Since I have started in this position my life has changed dramatically as well as many others. I have come into a better relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I have recently shared the Gospel with 4 others who have accepted Jesus Christ as well. I am currently enrolled in Carolina College of Biblical Studies in Fayetteville North Carolina in aspirations in finishing my Associate's Degree in Biblical Studies. I have five classes left to complete and I need this scholarship to help me cover my costs. Once I obtain this Degree I will start working towards my Bachelor's of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. I would like to counsel others and help them through their difficult times in life.