Hi, my name is Josh, and I’m asking for help covering the cost of my final semester of college so I can graduate and continue serving people affected by substance use disorders.

I started college in 2020 while I was about seven months into recovery from addiction. At the time, I had very little confidence in myself. I was a high school dropout and had spent many years believing I wasn’t capable of much more than survival. To play it safe, I enrolled in the automotive program at Pikes Peak State College, choosing something I believed would be manageable and realistic for someone with my background.

What surprised me was that I didn’t just get by. I earned straight A’s and began to rebuild confidence I didn’t know I had.

Around that same time, I started working in the substance use treatment field. What began as a job quickly became a calling. With one semester left in the automotive program, I made the decision to change my major and pursue a career centered on helping others navigate recovery. I later transferred to UCCS, where I am now completing my bachelor’s degree in Human Services and plan to graduate in May 2026. I currently hold a 3.6 GPA.

Since entering this field, I’ve worked in a variety of roles across nonprofit and for-profit agencies, including behavioral health technician, peer support specialist, intake coordinator, family support specialist, crisis intervention specialist, program manager, and most recently, intensive outpatient therapist. I’ve also volunteered extensively with unhoused populations and helped educate the public on overdose prevention.

Because I spent additional time in my initial program while finding my confidence and direction, I’ve now used all of the financial aid available for my undergraduate degree. This final semester must be paid for out of pocket. Once I begin graduate school, where I plan to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or social work, I will again be eligible for financial aid.

Working in addiction treatment has been challenging, humbling, and deeply rewarding. I believe wholeheartedly that people struggling with substance use can recover. While I know I can’t save lives, I also know that showing up consistently and compassionately can make a real difference. If I can positively impact even one person, the work is worth it.

I am committed to finishing this degree regardless of the outcome of this fundraiser. However, if you are able and willing to donate, even a small amount, it would ease the financial burden of this final stretch and help me continue serving this community with the education and training it deserves. I am incredibly grateful for any support, and I know there are many people I work with who would be grateful too.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.