I don’t usually ask for help, but I’m at one of the most important turning points of my life.

I’m 20 years old, and preparing to move from Texas to Iowa to begin college. This opportunity means more to me than I can put into words.

I come from a lower-income family, and as the oldest of five siblings, I’ve always felt a responsibility to lead by example. I was the first in my family to graduate high school, and now I’m preparing to become the first to attend college.

Getting to this point has not been easy. It has taken years of trial and error, setbacks, and moments where giving up would have been the easier choice. But I kept going because I know my purpose is bigger than the obstacles I’ve faced.

I am pursuing a path in Ayurveda, wellness, and integrative health. Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic healing systems in the world. It focuses on restoring balance in the body, mind, and spirit through nutrition, herbs, lifestyle changes, and natural therapies.

Integrative health combines the best of modern medicine with evidence-based holistic practices, focusing on treating the whole person rather than just symptoms.

My dream is to become someone who helps others heal. I want to support people who feel overlooked, exhausted, and disconnected from their health. I want to help others address the root causes of what they’re experiencing and find lasting wellness. This dream is deeply personal to me, and I hope to use what I learn to make a meaningful difference in my community and in the lives of others.

To make this journey possible, I’ll be traveling to Iowa with the help of close friends who have offered to drive me there. I’ll also be bringing my emotional support dog, Rhuben, who has been a constant source of comfort and stability through some of the hardest times in my life.

I’ve created this GoFundMe to help cover the costs of transportation, moving, and getting settled before school begins. I need to raise these funds by the end of July.

If you are able to donate, no matter the amount, it would mean more to me than I can express. And if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing my story would help tremendously.

Your support is helping more than one student get to college. It is helping the oldest of five siblings build a new path for my family. It is helping a first-generation college student pursue a dream rooted in compassion and healing. It is helping me become the person I’ve worked so hard to become.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for sharing it, and for believing in me.