Help Ta'Veaion Thrive in College and Basketball

I am Kristi Ditzfeld and I am a High School Counselor at Glendale High School. Every once in a while you come across a kid that changes you, takes your heart, and becomes more than just a student. They become family. Ta'Veaion Washington has become that for me and my family. Tavey started working in the Counseling office as an Office Worker his Junior Year. He was quiet, would pull his hood, keep to himself, usually slept, and didn't interact much. I went to a basketball game, and saw him come alive on the court! I knew I had to get to know him, I knew there was so much more to this young man. I made it my mission to get to know him, and I'm so glad I did! This kid has such an incredible story and has had a tough road. One word to describe him would be RESILIENCE.

There has always been some housing insecurity in Tavey's life. He has bounced around with extended family, grandparents, and friends. There really hasn't been a long period of stable housing for him. High school is when things became increasingly more unstable, and at the end of his Junior year, with his grandmother being evicted, he was facing homelessness. Thankfully, a teammate on the GHS basketball team was able to take him in, and he lived with them throughout his Senior year. This was such a blessing! It was also wonderful because it showed in his grades! He was able to improve his GPA because he had stable housing! Tavey was also able to get a COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP to play basketball at KCKCC! We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment! He was able to get a FULL RIDE!

Tavey is a force on the court. A quiet leader. He sets the tone, and encourages the team. He isn't a LOUD, emotional player, but he plays with his whole heart. He lifts up his teammates. He pushes them to be better, and holds the bar a little higher for them, even higher for himself. He has just about as many assists as he does points in a game, and he is typically the 1st or 2nd highest scorer in each game. He is a TEAM player, with total team mentality. We are more than excited to see what he does at the next level!

As graduation happened, and grad parties were going on all around us, my colleagues and I realized that Tavey, being homeless, and without a lot of things all these other students have, will be going to college without a lot...a lot of basics. We, on our educator salaries, have done as much as we can in getting him ready for college - getting him dorm supplies, the necessities for college life, etc. However, there are A LOT we just cannot afford to get him, and this kid DESERVES EVERTHING he needs to start college on the same foot as everyone else. We also found out, when meeting with admissions, that the Community College he will be attending does not have a meal plan option for students. The college's housing is apartments, which gives students a kitchen in their apartment, but no meal plan. So they, as student athletes, are on their own when it comes to meals. This is another barrier, and something we are working to plan for him. I have been in contact with his Coach and we have talked through different things, however this is something we are working to combat, and plan for.

Tavey is such an amazing kid. I have resorted to a GoFundMe because I asked him to make an Amazon Wish List and all he said he needed (after we got him bedding, and few other essentials), was a laptop, beats headphones, and if at all possible a TV for his room. That's it. Nothing more. I know that he will need more than this. Maybe even some new clothes or shoes. Maybe even some school supplies. He would never ask for that though. He would just make due with what he has. So I have resorted to this so that we can make sure he has everything he needs, and so we can ensure we have the funds to tackle any needs that may arise along the way for him. I love this young man and I would not reach out and ask for help if I did not truly believe in him. He wants to give back to his community one day, through coaching and being a counselor. This is his first step, and we are asking for your help in helping him be successful!

Thank you so much! ANYTHING is appreciated!