Help Dominick Ferguson Achieve His College Dream

I have been helping Dominick Ferguson to achieve his college dreams. Because of the fundraising efforts in the summer, he was finally able to begin his college career at Simpson University in Redding, California. He's been so excited about being a member of the college football team.

In his own words: College has been great. It's definitely been a blessing -- all my professors are nice and I'm passing all my classes. Football has been great. We already played a couple of games, but we are a young team with hope for the future. I've made a lot of friends making my college experience even more than I could have imagined.

His next tuition payment is due. I'll be donating another $500 today (Tuesday, September 24th). I'd like to encourage his family, friends, and former colleagues to help Dominick continue his college dreams.

And, if he receives a total of at least $500 from others in the next 24 hours, I will donate an additional $500.

If everyone kicks in a few dollars ($5 or $10), he'll meet his goal. Let's all help Dominick!!

BACK STORY

I had the pleasure of having Dominick Ferguson (the taller one) as a student in my Advocacy Class for six years. Through those years, I watched him grow and mature into a productive young man.

Dominick has dealt with the hardships of being homeless for a short period and seeing loved ones being on drugs around he and his family. (Dominick has an older sister and two younger brothers.) For several years, it was just his mother and the four kids.

But instead of going down those dark paths, he saw sports as an avenue to a better world. He played football from Pop Warner Football up through high school. As a senior, Dominick was a 5-sport athlete earning numerous awards (Cross-Country, Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Track).

Even with his demanding schedule, he pursued his education striving to succeed academically. He took honors classes and AP classes graduating from high school in 2020.

Because of COVID and the shutdown of our country, his plans to attend college were put on hold. For the last two years, he has worked at Encina HS as a campus monitor as well as coached sports on the campus. All the while, he has been working toward being once again accepted to college.

He has been accepted to Simpson University where he will also be playing football for the university. Dominick has received a football scholarship, but it only covers a third of his expenses. He has also received a Pell Grant, but he is still short.

As a high school senior, he was awarded a Cal Grant for the maximum amount. This year, he reapplied for the Cal Grant. A few days ago, he was informed that he did not get his paperwork in on time. However, we have digital proof that all paperwork was submitted before the deadline. Dominick is currently appealing this decision. However, they replied that the process might take as much as eight weeks.

This is where he desperately needs our help. He is required to have the remaining $10,000+ before he can move in on August 3rd. (Football players must be there for preseason practices.)

In Dominick's own words: "It's always been a dream of mine to play football at the college level and get my degree in kinesiology. And now that I can finally achieve the dream that I set at a young age. We are stumped by a 'small bump' in the road due to my financial situation."

It is my hope that everyone can pitch in a few dollars to help the well-deserving young man pursue his college career and dream of a college degree.