Hello, my name is Dy’Mon Hill. I’m an 18-year-old first-generation college student reared in District Heights, Maryland, and I am humbly asking for your help to make a lifelong dream come true.

This Fall, I have been accepted to Johnson & Wales University (Providence Campus), one of the TOP Culinary and Hospitality schools in the country to study Hospitality Management. I am working toward opening my OWN restaurant in honor of the woman who taught me the TRUE meaning of food -- my grandmother: Sityra known as 'Toni' .

My journey to this point has been anything, BUT easy.

I was reared in a single-parent household as the eldest of four. With so much responsibility on my shoulders, I had to grow up fast. My mother worked long hours just to keep a roof over our heads. Unfortunately, my father was not around growing up. So when he was incarcerated, it took a toll on me mentally. There were days when the pain felt unbearable, but I kept going. I held everything in and pushed forward, not just for myself but for my siblings and the people who look up to me.

The kitchen became my safe space. My late grandmother -- my heart and foundation of who I am -- taught me how to cook, how to serve others, and how to pour love into EVERY meal. Her spirit lives on in everything I do. When she passed, I made a promise to keep her legacy alive. THAT is what drives me today.

During my high school career -- I graduated three (3) weeks ago -- I spent the past four years pouring myself into EVERYTHING I do. I am now ServSafe certified, a former ProStart student, and a proud member of my school’s Culinary and Academic programs. Additionally, I have logged countless volunteer hours, mentored underclassmen, and built a strong reputation as someone who cares deeply about community. I am not just a tutor, I am a role model. I show students that despite the odds, they CAN rise.

But now I face a barrier I simply cannot overcome alone...

Even with scholarships and financial aid, I am facing a $20,000 tuition gap in which I have until July 3, 2025 to secure funding. Without YOUR help, I may not be able to enroll this Fall.

This is not just about going to college, but rather about breaking generational cycles, building a legacy, and creating a future where I can uplift others the way so many have uplifted me. My vision does not stop with me as I plan to do the following:

• Start a community-based restaurant in my grandmother’s honor

• Develop mentorship programs for local youth

• Help other first-gen college students find their path, just like I found mine

EVERY donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to my dream. Here’s how you can help...

1/ DONATE whatever you can -- even $5 makes a difference

2/ SHARE my story with your friends, family, and network

3/ TAG people who believe in education, community, and second chances

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! I thank you not just for your donation but for believing in me when it matters most. Together, we can turn this dream into something real, not just for me, but for everyone I hope to serve along the way.

With deep gratitude,

Dy’Mon Hill