Samuel has fought his way through homelessness, chronic illness, and years of instability to earn a place in Oregon State University's rigorous Advanced Biochemistry program, on the path toward graduate research in bioremediation and environmental science. We are raising funds to help make this next step possible.

Samuel came to Portland alone at eighteen with no support system, and built a life for himself through determination, hard work, and self-education. He eventually became a respected dog trainer, and mentored others in force-free, evidence-based training. In recent years, severe rheumatoid arthritis and the aftermath of an abusive relationship forced Samuel to rebuild nearly every part of his life from scratch.

Instead of giving up, he went back to school.

Today, he serves as President of Student Government at his community college, has become deeply involved in campus leadership, and was recently recognized as one of only 62 students statewide selected for the Oregon All-Academic Team through Phi Theta Kappa.

Samuel is brilliant, hardworking, and relentlessly committed to building a meaningful future. But because of his illness, balancing full-time work with the demands of this next academic step is not realistically possible, and financial aid barely covers tuition.

Your support will help him continue pursuing an opportunity he has fought incredibly hard to reach.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or contributing. Picture of the dogs for smiles :)