Hi Family and Close Friends,

Hope you all are well.

This is my last year -- my fifth year -- at UCLA, and I am struggling to afford housing in the midst of many other expenses. I currently behind in rent payments (including December's rent). Additionally, I am still repaying debt from my trip to Cuba last year, one of the most life-changing opportunities and moment of self-discovery I've ever had.

Four years ago, I embarked on a journey to UCLA to accomplish what only so few in my family have accomplished - receiving a college degree.  I went to UCLA with hopes of experiencing a new, beautiful journey. I had no idea what to expect. In the midst of it, I've gotten sidetracked with a lot of different (yet still very developmental) opportunities. Little did I know UCLA would be home to the biggest obstacles I've dealt with in life, including coming out and balancing academics with my intrinsic desire to serve the community. This is something that many of you know that I have been struggling most with since my time at UCLA and continue to do so.

Along my journey at UCLA, I have learned a lot of lessons in independence, becoming an adult (#adulting), becoming a Black man who also so happens to be LGBT-identified in this country, and most importantly, living in one's own truth. Those who know me well know that I typically say "I love education, but hate school". For the next two quarters, I aim to do all I can to focus on finishing my degree and graduate from UCLA in June. I am so close to the finish line.

With your support, I can get to that finish line. 

No more excuses, no more distractions. 

I'm here for the degree.

That's it. That's the tunnel vision.

I would appreciate your support at this time more than anything. I am trying to pick up the pieces of the past mistakes I've made to move forward, but I cannot do this alone. My struggle has been asking for help for myself and focusing on myself. My mom told me great advice the other day, "you can't help others if you don't help yourself". Of course, this was wisdom that I need to continue to sit on and soak in. 

So, this is a calling to you to join me in this tunnel vision. I know that it is a tough time for all of us, so I just ask that whatever you are able to give, you give. I can explain more in detail via phone if you would like to contact me directly. I will be personally messaging folks as well (if you did not already get this link directly from me). 

I am reaching out to you in urgent and dire need of your financial support. I am not accustomed to asking for money for my own personal needs, but in the few last days, the circumstances that I have reached requires this forum. Unfortunately, some of my past actions have required me to come to this point. Frankly, I'm going through a very tough time, and having my family's support would mean the world to me.

GoFundMe does take a portion of the funds to pay for the website maintenance, so if you would prefer to not give through this forum, please feel free to contact me and we definitely arrange something else. 

Love you, family. 

Devin