Hello! My name is Noah and I am an outdoor-loving, bold, and adventurous low-income student. I grew up surviving homelessness and have seen the importance and impact of treating people with dignity and kindness. I really care about the people I meet in life and this is why I would love to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. Witnessing my family member recover from being hit by a drunk driver sparked my desire to help others and enter the field of healthcare. I have seen how compassionate care can help bring hope and alleviate some of the things their loved ones carry. For the past seven years, I have been part of an organization that assists children impacted by domestic violence. I began as a participant and now am a mentor to others. It is here that I learned about hope and its ability to create pathways toward a better future. I feel inspired by this community and value creating a welcoming inclusive space for everyone. I also testified in Sacramento with Outdoor Outreach’s efforts to help nonprofits reduce barriers and increase diversity in the outdoors for AB1150. Coming from a single-parent household with my sibling in college, any scholarships will help ensure that college is affordable. I have been working for the past two years to contribute to my household. In my future career, I will utilize my own lived experience and understanding of vulnerability to help others in reducing barriers. Pathways in life can be hard to see, I hope to be a pillar of consistency and help others thrive.