Hello,

My name is Tobias, I’m a former Sergeant in the US Army Reserves. I have been a Service Member for Almost 9 years and didn’t reenlist for a third time. I was given an Honorable Discharge, even though I suffered a knee injury about to finish my 9th year of service. In my first few years in the Military I became a single father who fought hard (took 10 years, before I was awarded primary parent) to keep my daughter. I’m very proud of her, and the young women she has grown into and I’m thankful I've gotten to see it every day. I'm also looking forward to starting this new career in the same medical field as she is. I spent the last since 2015 trying to do what I knew best as a HVAC tech but with a knee injury and having to use padding and braces it didn't help my knees. I decided to leave that job field and go to what I wish I wanted to do when I get out of the Military and come an X-Ray Tech and work in a hospital (and Hopefully with the VA, so I can work with people that might be Veterans or not and brighten their day.

When I was in the Army Reserves I was in a IT Tech, but I didn’t like the environment and or how business was conducted, so I did what I thought was right and found a Job as a blue collar worker and enjoyed every day of it, even though it was ruff with my injuries, I did make it work and ensured that I didn’t make things worse. I was able to use the VA to get special equipment to protect my knees and kept up with appointments to make sure they were not getting worse.I made sure I was skilled enough to help people one on one with their equipment. I was able to join multiple companies and work with clients one on one and lesson to them and their stories. As I worked on their equipment. It was a great time in my life that made me feel like I was wanted and that I had a purpose beside raising my daughter. It afforded me the ability to take care of her and her needs.

After I hit 40 my knees became a bigger issue and I now have to wear braces to walk around. I tried to get an office job but I wasn’t happy and I decided to go back to school. As I’m not working one on one with people as I find peace with that. I’m going back to school and I have registered for classes for the Spring 2026 at Las Positas College. I unfortunately need help getting classes paid for and materials for school, as in books and other equipment to work on school projects with. I have finally been able to work with the VR&E (Veteran Readiness & Employment) with the VA (Veterans Affairs), and get my classes paid for but I’m allotted 75$ on materials and need a little extra help with books and other things. As VR&E and my VA Disability I will make less than $2,000 a month, enough to cover bills and gas. However life isn’t easy and it upsets me that I need to ask for a little help. However the opportunity I’ve been given and the chance I’ve been given I’m humbled and excited to start this journey.

How the funds are going to be used..

Car Parts and Tired: About $1000

Books and Supplies for my first Semester: Estimated $1062 (From their website)

Miscellaneous: Estimated $2000

Miscellaneous will include gas, food (for my cats as well) and car insurance and my phone bill, for the first semester, and possibly for the summer course for my daughter and I. Any funds raised beyond my needs will remain in a dedicated account for education expenses for my daughter and I.

With gratitude,

Tobias Taylor

Proud US Army Veteran and Father