Martese is SO close to finishing college degree

I met Martese in the second year of running Upcycle Parts Shop, 8 years ago. He was a high school student nearby and his grandma ran a shop across St. Clair Avenue. He just popped in after school, then became a regular volunteer and friend, with a contagious laugh and the kind of energy that lights up the room. Martese is fun, dynamic, hilarious, and the kind of person I think of as a human exclamation point. I've been so excited for his college journey to OSU, where he started studying Architecture, took a chance to study abroad in Greece (!) then shifted his degree to City and Regional Planning with an Architecture minor.

We've kept in touch and just this week when I reached out to ask him how things are going he shared that he's just 18 credit hours short of finishing but he's been struggling. He's still in Columbus, and considering his options. When I listened to his struggles I understand them. Working to pay rent, phone, bus passes, submitting financial aid paperwork too late and having to take a semester off, not passing a class and planning to try again. "I have a block on my account and I can't enroll for classes with it on there. I've written a letter to ask for an appeal but I'm thinking I might come back home to work to see if I can earn the money then come back later to finish" he said. How much is the block? $2,500. Not nothing. And his plan to make money, pay it off and go back isn't a bad plan. But he's so close!

I feel like doing more for this dynamic kid I've been cheering for since he was in high school, who showed up for us at Upcycle when he could, when the boost of kids volunteering helped ground us in our community. This kid turned young man who has shown up for himself for getting this far in his education, despite many obstacles. I feel like the least I can do is start a gofundme, contribute to it, and ask if you would consider supporting Martese too.

Not because you know him, necessarily. And not because you owe him or me anything. But maybe because like me, you remember that almost-there feeling toward the end of something big, when maybe you felt alone because so many daunting things were stacking up. There are many options but continuing, staying near campus and finishing is a choice. Not all of us get this choice, and I want Martese to have it. Maybe together we can help him feel the support of a whole community, rooting for him, for his goals, his ambition, and his dynamic, charismatic big soul that has so much to give. He will be fine if he decides to come back to Cleveland to work and finish his degree another way. It will take longer but it's a solid option. But he will be stronger for the boost of a community that contributes to his path, his degree, his wellbeing, and his future. I'm here for that.

Thanks for considering joining me. The $2,500 will go to cover the block on this account and his financial aid will allow him to finish his final semester at OSU in Columbus. Anything beyond that would help him cover his $700 rent. Martese, your future is bright. And you are surrounded by support!