Chris has reached his fundraising goal on HandUp!

Why I'm using HandUp for culinary school tuition.

I am currently homeless, and while I work toward finding housing, I am also working toward attending culinary school to become a professional chef. It's what I've wanted to do since I was a teenager, and my hope is that starting my career will help me end my homelessness and set me on a good path.

About me.

I've lived in the Detroit area my whole life. I started cooking with my family when I was 15, and most of the jobs I've had have been cooking in some capacity. I have a young son who has my heart!

My backstory.

I was living in an apartment and working when a terrible car accident forced me to take a leave from work. Trying to be responsible, i paid my rent for the rest of the year to my landlord, who ran off with the money and caused me to become evicted. I worked a succession of odd jobs but it wasn’t enough to make ends meet, and I ended up staying with friends and eventually on the street. I entered SOS hoping to find the help and support he needed to find housing. As a current shelter client, I am working every day to better my situation and end my homelessness for good.

My goals, moving forward.

I'm so excited for the possibility of going to culinary school, because I know it will drastically change my life. It will help me hone my skills and start my career doing what I love. Eventually, I want to open a restaurant that has something for everyone, and show my son what following your dreams looks like.

Other things I'd like to share about myself.

Recently, I got to cook for my shelter family, and it was one of the most rewarding feelings to feed people I care about.