Growing up in the Valley Hi neighborhood, our circumstances often kept our heads down—focused on surviving, working hard, and just trying to stay afloat. My name is Juan Pablo Reyes, and I was born and raised in South Sacramento, California. I am the product of my parents’ sacrifices—immigrants who left everything behind so their children could have the opportunities they never did. We lived with what we had and always dreamed of something more. There were times when we struggled to stay afloat. My father, who worked in construction for many years, once fell from a two-story building and severely injured his back. Unable to continue in that field, he worked at a car wash while my mother became a cook in a local restaurant. During those years, I often felt helpless—too young to contribute, but deeply aware of the weight my family carried. That period shaped my mindset: to serve, to help, and to never take opportunity for granted.

As I prepare to begin college, I’m determined to pursue my education in Public Health and use it to give back to my community. However, my family and I are facing a remaining tuition gap we cannot afford at the University of Nevada, Reno. I was raised to work hard rather than ask for help, but the urgency of this situation leaves me with little time to earn the remaining amount on my own.

The support I receive from this fundraiser will directly contribute to funding my college education, helping me cover essential costs such as tuition, textbooks, and housing. As a first-generation college student, it’s my goal to one day use my degree to reinvest in the very communities that raised and shaped me. I want my education to be more than a personal achievement—it’s a step toward creating lasting change for others like me.