I have chosen to pursue higher education because I know it is the key to building a strong foundation for the work I am meant to do. I already understand people on a deep level, I have lived through challenges that have given me insight into human struggles, resilience, and transformation. But school will help me refine that knowledge, build confidence in my abilities, and give me the tools to create something truly impactful. At 18, I broke the cycle in my family by becoming the first to establish a career, joining law enforcement and working in the field for 14 years. But life doesn’t always go as planned. After losing my career due to COVID-related health concerns and facing major obstacles, I found myself starting over. This time, I know that education is what will help me take my experience and turn it into something bigger, something that will change lives. Higher education will give me the structure and resources I need to create a nonprofit that provides real, lasting transformation for people who are ready to break cycles but don’t have the means to do it alone. I don’t just want to meet with people for an hour-long therapy session, I want to go into their lives, walk with them through their struggles, and help them make lasting changes. My nonprofit will be free for those who truly need it because I believe that real healing and growth shouldn’t be limited by financial barriers. I want to create a place where people feel truly seen, supported, and empowered to take control of their lives in ways they never thought possible. As a first-generation college student, I’ve had to prepare for this journey in ways that most people don’t. I moved to Oregon from out of state as a single mother with my daughter and two cats, driving for three days to start fresh in a place where I knew no one. I had no job lined up, no support system, and very little financial security, but I knew I was going to school and I found a way. Every time I’ve faced an obstacle, I’ve found a way to push through, whether it was finding a our new home, navigating the application process, securing child care, securing financial aid, or figuring out how to balance school while being a full-time mom. I’ve had to work twice as hard to make this happen, but that only proves to me that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. For me, going to college isn’t just about getting a degree, it’s about proving to myself and my daughter that we are capable of more than we ever imagined. I didn’t go through everything I did just to play small. I went through it so I could come out stronger, be loud in making a difference, and leave behind a legacy that changes lives. No matter what challenges come my way, I will find a way forward, just like I always have.

Education is important to me because it represents opportunity, growth, and the ability to break generational cycles. It’s not just about earning a degree, it’s about equipping myself with the knowledge and tools to create real change. I started breaking the cycle early when I became the first in my family to establish a career, joining law enforcement at 18 because I knew I wanted more for myself. I worked in that field for 14 years, proving to myself that I could build something stable and meaningful. But life had other plans, and after facing some major challenges, I found myself starting over. Now, I finally have the chance to earn my degree, and this time, I see it as so much more than just personal success, it’s about what I can do with it to help others. The legacy I want to leave is one of deep impact. I want to truly connect with people, to get to know them on a real level, and to help them in ways that change their lives. I want to use my experiences, both the good and the difficult, to empower others, to show them that no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through, they can rise above it and create something better. My daughter is a huge part of this legacy. She gives me my strength and my purpose, and I want to raise her to be a loving, caring, and empathetic person who will also make a difference in the world. More than anything, I want her to see that no challenge is too great to overcome and that we can take our pain and turn it into purpose. I believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we can have, and education allows us to grow in ways we never thought possible. It provides the foundation not only to better our own lives but to lift up others as well. That’s why I’m so committed to finishing my degree and using it as a stepping stone toward something bigger. I don’t want to just exist, I want to make a lasting impact. Something I always say is that I didn’t go through everything I did just to be small. I went through it so it would build my strength, so I could be loud in helping others and making a real difference. I want to leave behind a legacy where I’ve impacted countless lives, where people know that I truly saw them, heard them, and helped them in ways that mattered. That’s the mark I want to leave on this world.

Being a first-generation college student has had a huge impact on my career goals. I actually broke this cycle early on by being the first in my family to have a real career when I went into law enforcement at 18. I knew I wanted better than what I grew up with, and I was determined to do things differently. I worked hard in that field for 14 years, proving to myself that I could rise above my circumstances and create a stable life. But life doesn’t always go as planned, and after some major challenges, I found myself starting over. Now, I finally have the chance to earn my degree, and this time, I know the sky is the limit. But I'm not just doing this for myself, I'm doing it for my daughter. She gives me my strength and reminds me every day why I keep pushing forward. I want to show her that no matter what happens in life, you can rise above it and build something even better. My experiences have shaped my passion for psychology and my long-term goal of running a nonprofit to help others struggling with adversity. I’ve already overcome so much, and with my daughter as my motivation, I refuse to let anything hold me back.

I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and someone who has rebuilt her life from the ground up. My journey has been anything but easy, but every hardship I’ve faced has shaped me into the person I am today and fueled my determination to create a better future. For 14 years, I worked in law enforcement, a career I loved and dedicated myself to. But in 2019, everything changed when I became pregnant with my daughter. At four months pregnant, I left a domestic violence situation with nothing but the hope of building a safer life for her and me. I fought through a difficult custody battle and, just as I was beginning to find stability, life threw more at me. In 2021, COVID-19 devastated my family. I was hospitalized with severe complications that triggered an autoimmune disease I still battle today. Two months later, my mother—my rock, my biggest supporter—was also hospitalized due to COVID-19. She never came home. Losing her shattered me in ways I can’t put into words. At the same time, I was drowning in the pressure of being a single mother, battling my own health struggles, and trying to keep up with the demands of a full-time career. My body could no longer take the stress, and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave the profession I had built my life around. I could have let all of this break me. Instead, I chose to rebuild. I left behind everything I knew and moved my daughter and me to Oregon, seeking a fresh start and a healthier, more stable future. I enrolled in college full-time to pursue a degree in psychology, shifting my focus from law enforcement to a new path where I could still help others, but in a way that truly aligns with the life I want to create. My goal is to launch a nonprofit life coaching business, supporting people who feel lost, stuck, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges, just as I once did. My why is my daughter. I want to give her everything I didn’t have. I’ve worked hard to break the cycle of generational trauma in my family, ensuring that she grows up in a home filled with love, stability, and opportunity. I want her to see what resilience looks like. But my why is also my mother. She was an incredible woman, kind, selfless, and full of love, but she struggled her entire life. She fought through so much, always doing her best, yet hardship followed her to the very end. Her passing wasn’t just tragic; it was filled with unnecessary suffering that could have been prevented. I refuse to let her story end that way. I refuse to let everything she endured be for nothing. Instead, I am taking the pain of losing her and using it as fuel to build a life filled with purpose. I won’t live in grief. I will honor her by creating something better, for myself and for my daughter, and by living a life filled with joy. Earning my psychology degree is the next step in making that vision a reality. My education will give me the knowledge and skills to help others who are facing hardship and looking for a way forward. Through my studies, I am gaining the tools to create meaningful change, not just in my own life but in the lives of those I hope to serve.

Becoming a mother changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about raising my daughter—it was about reshaping my entire life to give her the stability, security, and future she deserved. For 14 years, I dedicated myself to a career in law enforcement, serving my community with pride. But after enduring immense personal challenges, I was faced with a difficult truth: the career I had built could no longer support the life my daughter and I needed. During my pregnancy, I had to make the terrifying decision to leave a domestic violence situation, walking away at four months pregnant to protect both of us. I fought through a lengthy custody battle, determined to give my daughter a safe and loving life. But just as I was beginning to rebuild, COVID-19 devastated my family. I was hospitalized in July 2021, and the virus triggered an autoimmune disease that I continue to battle today. Then, only two months later, my mother was also hospitalized due to COVID-19. Tragically, she did not survive, and I lost her on 9/9/21. The weight of grief, my declining health, and the immense stress of being a full-time working single mother became overwhelming. My body could no longer sustain the physical and emotional toll of my law enforcement career. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I chose to step away from the profession I had dedicated myself to for over a decade. I realized that to give my daughter the life she deserved, I needed to make a fundamental change. I had spent my career protecting others, it was time to protect my own future. So, I made the bold decision to leave California and move to Oregon, seeking a fresh start in a healthier, more vibrant environment. I wanted a place where we could heal, grow, and truly thrive. Since making that decision, my focus has been on building a better life for my daughter and me. I enrolled in college full-time to pursue my degree in psychology, shifting my focus from law enforcement to a new path, one where I can still help others but in a way that aligns with the life I envision for my family. My long-term goal is to launch a nonprofit life coaching business, providing support to individuals who are struggling, just as I once was. I know firsthand the power of guidance, resilience, and second chances, and I want to be that source of strength for others in my community. Balancing full-time motherhood and full-time education is not easy, but I am committed to this journey. Thanks to a childcare grant, I can dedicate myself to my studies while ensuring my daughter receives the care she needs. I am slowly building a new community of support, creating a life filled with opportunity and hope. Like Jennifer, I believe in growth, in new beginnings, and in the power of education to transform lives. This scholarship would not only help me continue my education but would also support the foundation I am building, not just for myself, but for my daughter and the people I hope to serve in the future. I am determined to take the lessons from my struggles and turn them into something meaningful, creating a life where I can give back, just as Jennifer did. With this opportunity, I will continue moving forward, proving that resilience, determination, and the love of a mother can build something truly extraordinary. Thank you for this opportunity.

I am a proud first-generation college student, a product of a single-parent household, and a survivor of childhood trauma and poverty. However, these challenges did not break me; they only fueled my determination to do better. At 18, I took the first step toward a stable future by applying to be a police cadet, which launched my law enforcement career. I was hired by a local police department, and two years later, I joined the county sheriff’s office, where I served for 14 years. I loved my job and the opportunity to serve my community. However, everything began to change in 2019 when I became pregnant with my first child. At four months pregnant, I had to leave a domestic violence situation. I fought through a lengthy custody battle, determined to give my daughter a safe and loving life. Just as I was beginning to rebuild, COVID-19 devastated my family. In July 2021, I was hospitalized with a severe case, which triggered an autoimmune disease that I continue to battle today. Two months later, in September 2021, my mother was hospitalized due to COVID-19. Tragically, she did not survive, passing away on 9/9/21. Between my declining health, the grief of losing my mother, the responsibilities of being a single parent, and the demands of full-time work, my body could no longer sustain the stress. I had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave behind my law enforcement career, a career I had dedicated my life to. At that moment, I felt like I had lost everything. But I refused to let these hardships define me. Instead, I chose to rebuild. I made the bold decision to move my daughter and me out of California to beautiful Oregon, seeking a fresh start in a healthy environment surrounded by nature. I knew I wanted to pursue my education, so I enrolled full-time to earn my degree in psychology. My goal is to use my knowledge to launch a nonprofit life coaching business, helping those in the community who are struggling and in need of support. Balancing motherhood and full-time education is not easy, but I am doing it entirely on my own. Thankfully, I qualified for a childcare grant, which allows me to focus on my studies while ensuring my daughter is cared for. I am slowly building new friendships and a strong support system, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful about the future. Despite the many obstacles I’ve faced, my passion for helping others remains stronger than ever. I cannot wait to give back to my community again and support those who, like me, just need someone to believe in them. Thank you for this opportunity.

My name is Katelynn Olson, and I am a 24-7 single mother to a beautiful little girl. This is my story. When I was 14-years old my father violently assaulted me causing injuries to my face and neck, keeping me from school for over three weeks due to the bruising. This took me down for a little while, but in the end, it is what fueled me to pursue my career in Law Enforcement. I wanted to help other kids who had faced the same challenges I had and show them there is a way out. When I turned 18, I applied as a police cadet and was hired immediately. I spent approximately two years as a cadet before I applied with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in California. I went through the OCSD academy which was labeled the hardest stress academy in the nation. I graduated and begun my career. My leadership started from day one, while I was still on training and learning the ropes while working inside the jails, an academy classmate was struggling and about to quit. At that point I had already learned the ropes and had found out they submitted a letter of resignation as it was too stressful for them. I took it upon myself to ask the Sergeant on duty if I could take four hours to train my classmate myself and give her a chance before letting her walk away. It was approved, I pulled her to the side and trained her and instilled courage and assurance in her, I was able to show her in a way that she understood. That same evening, she pulled her letter and today she is an incredible patrol deputy. Fast forwarding to the best four years of my career where I was selected to be captain of the OCSD all women’s competitive shooting team. I trained, mentored and led this team of 15-deputies to winning gold in the national police and fire Olympics. Several years in a row, I even won top female shooter, placing gold myself. My efforts paid off when I was sent to the FBI firearms instructor academy and graduated with my certificate. This team became my family and was some of the best years of my career. In 2021 my entire life changed. I contracted a horrible case of Covid and was hospitalized. At the same time my mom ended up in the hospital and passed away seven days later. My mother was all I had. I fought hard to recover from my hospitalization and Covid infection but was ultimately diagnosed with an inflammatory autoimmune disease and let go after almost 14-years of service without medical retirement. I lost my mom, my career, and was a single parent. I had sunk into a depression for a solid year, gaining around 100 lbs. I finally decided enough was enough and pulled myself out of that hole. I absolutely refused to stay there. I sought therapy and was fueled to pick myself up by my daughter. I worked so hard and planned to move out of California to start a new life in Oregon as I could no longer afford to live there. In July of 2024 I packed our entire home by myself, handled all logistics and moved my daughter, two cats and I over 18 hours away. I found us a cute home, unpacked everything myself working so hard to a point I could barely walk for weeks! We are finally settled in, and I am already enrolled in school ready to start planning for my new career.

My name is Katie Olson, I am a 34-year-old 24-7 Single mother. Growing up, I was one of four daughters, which later ended up being one of three. After my mother, who was a struggling single mom had to give one of my sisters up for adoption, as she barely could feed us. My childhood was riddled with abuse, food and housing insecurity. My parents divorced when I was one, my dad did not make things easy for my mother or me. My mother was an extremely strong women, full of resilience and very resourceful. It is 100% where I got my strength and resilience from. Despite the challenges I had growing up, I have always had a good head on my shoulders. We had always said, I should have ended up an addict, homeless, or in jail considering my environment. I refused to go that route from a young age! When I was 15 my father physically assaulted me causing great bodily injury. He was arrested and I was taken to the hospital with neck and facial injuries. It was so bad I couldn't go to school for three weeks. I survived it, and it was the fuel that led me into my 13-year career in Law Enforcement. The day I turned 18 I applied to be a Police cadet. I wanted to become a Police Officer to help kids who had gone through everything I had gone through. I was hired as a police cadet in 2008. I then was hired by the Orange County Sheriff's Department in 2011 where I eventually graduated the academy and became a Sheriff's Special Officer. I was the first and only one in my family to make something of their selves. I spent 13 years with the Sheriff's, four years working in the jails, four as a bailiff and the remaining as the captain of an all-women’s competitive shooting team. This was the highlight of my career. I mentored and lead women who had similar paths. I led our team to victory winning Gold at the National Police and Fire Olympics several years in a row. I also won top female nationally winning Gold. There is an article about me that can be found here: https://behindthebadge.com/top-female-sharpshooter-ocsds-katie-olson-quick-study-nailing-bullseye/ . In 2021 my entire life changed when I contracted a horrible case of Covid. I was hospitalized and never fully recovered. I fought hard to recover but never did. I was diagnosed with an Autoimmune disease caused by the infection. I was eventually let go from my career due to no longer being physically fit for duty. Two months after I was hospitalized my mom who was only 62 at the time also was hospitalized. Little did I know she was never going to leave that hospital. She ended up passing away from hypoxia due to medical negligence on September 9th 2021 My entire world crumbled as my mom was all I had, and she was the most amazing grandma to my little girl. Loosing her and my career, as well as leaving an abusive relationship at four months pregnant and becoming a single mom has completely transformed me. I was broken down and stripped of everything, I even lost my vehicle and had to file Bankruptcy due to loss of my Job, funeral costs and attorney fees to protect my daughter. Despite all of it! Through resilience, therapy and a Will to Survive fueled by my daughter, I picked my self up. I packed our life up and moved us to Bend Oregon where we are starting over. I start school this fall.

Hello and thank you for this opportunity. My name is Katie Olson, and I am a 247 Single mother to a beautiful little girl, Sophia. I grew up in poverty riddled with food, housing insecurities and abuse. From a young age I refused to let my upbringing bring me down. I was the first in my family to obtain a career. At age 18 I started my Law Enforcement career as a police cadet, then transferred to the County's Sheriff's Department where I have worked the last 13 years. I was a Correctional Officer, Bailiff, and captain to an all-women’s competitive shooting team. While I was captain, I not only lead my team to victory winning gold in the national police and fire Olympics, but my favorite part was mentoring these women! In 2019 I became pregnant, and my entire life changed when my fiancé at the time became abusive. I absolutely refused to subject my daughter to that life, and I left at four months pregnant. It was the best choice I could have made. I had to face a lengthy custody battle but in the end my daughter was safe! in 2021 I contracted a severe case of Covid-19 that left me hospitalized and ultimately led me to no longer being physically fit for law enforcement and I was let go from my 13 years of service without any medical retirement, this was devastating to me and my daughter. Around the same time my mother who was only 63 ended up in the hospital and passed away from respitory failure related to Covid. She was the only supportive family I had around. These major life changes devastated my home, and I went into a depression for about a year. I got to a point where I decided enough was enough and I sought the help I needed found mentors and pulled myself out! I decided that California was no longer a place where I can provide the best life for my daughter and after lots of planning and a lot of courage, we moved to Bend Oregon on July 19th, 2024. I am currently unemployed and receiving state assistance until I can get a part time job and start full time school. Although I must completely start over after already having a career, I remain motivated and passionate! We are now in Bend, and I am not wasting time. I've decided to go back to school, focusing on philanthropy. I want a degree in business management with a focus on human services and nonprofit work. My goal is to use Inner Strength Coaching to build a nonprofit that combats depression and loneliness in underserved communities, like the elderly and at-risk youth. I want to bring enriching events and workshops to those who rarely experience joy. I hope this reflects my character, resilience, and eagerness to improve my daughter's and my life, as well as the lives of many. Big change takes courage, and I have it!

Hi! My name is Katie, and I was born and raised in Fullerton, California. I grew up in a low-income household, raised by a single mother who worked three jobs. My childhood was riddled with food and housing insecurities and abuse. Despite my challenges, I graduated high school, enrolled in an ROP program, and earned my Cosmetology License in 2008. My life could have taken a dark path, given my upbringing, but my inner determination kept me from making wrong choices. Instead of practicing beauty, I ended up in law enforcement. One highlight was being the captain of an all-women’s competitive shooting team. I led my team to gold and won top female for firearms marksmanship, earning gold at the National Police and Fire Olympics. I loved mentoring and training women, showcasing my strength as a natural leader. I served 13 years as a law enforcement officer before everything changed. The last four years have been the hardest and most transformative of my life. In 2019, I became pregnant and left an abusive relationship at four months pregnant. With the help of the right attorney, I navigated a lengthy custody battle, ultimately protecting my daughter. Soon after, COVID-19 hit my family hard. I contracted it, which left me hospitalized and triggered a debilitating autoimmune disease, rendering me unfit for duty. After 13 years of service, I was let go without medical retirement. To make things worse, my mom contracted COVID-19 and passed away due to respiratory failure at 63. Despite her hardships during my childhood, we healed our relationship, and she became an amazing grandma. Her passing changed me profoundly. I stood by her side in the hospital for seven days, advocating for her. Letting her go and learning to surrender to death was one of the hardest lessons I learned. Grief hit me hard, and I isolated for over a year until I decided enough was enough. I wasn't only grieving my mom's loss but also the family I could have had, my career, and my entire life. I found myself a 24/7 single mother with no one, as my sisters had all moved out of state. I had to do something about it. I refused to stay in that space any longer. I pulled myself out and went to life coaching school to help others who have experienced similar tragedies. I founded Inner Strength Coaching, which is still in its infancy. I realized my old environment was no longer working for my daughter and me, so I knew it was time to leave California for a new beginning. After nearly a year of research and planning, I chose to move to Bend, Oregon. Using the resourcefulness my mom taught me, I secured nearly ten thousand dollars in assistance for our move, covering deposits, rent, U-Haul, gas, and hotels. By stepping out of fear and leaning into courage and faith, I realized everything was working out, and I was making the right choice. We are now in Bend, and I am not wasting time. I've decided to go back to school, focusing on philanthropy. I want a degree in business management, focusing on human services and nonprofit work. My goal is to use Inner Strength Coaching to build a nonprofit that combats depression and loneliness in underserved communities, like the elderly and at-risk youth. I want to bring enriching events and workshops to those who rarely experience joy. I hope this reflects my character, resilience, and eagerness to improve my daughter's and my life, as well as the lives of many. Big change takes courage, and I have it!