From the Inner City to the halls of USC: the story of one young man who’s beating the odds

My name is Martin. I’m 16 years old and I’ve been coming to Fred Jordan Mission since I was three. During all this time Mrs. Jordan and the rest of the kind people at the Mission have always been there for me.

When my family has needed help with food and clothing, Fred Jordan Mission is always there to help. It’s pretty hard financially for my mom in between paychecks. I don’t know what our family would do without the support and love of the Mission all these years.

With God’s help I’ll become a doctor

I’ve been coming to the after-school programs for as long as I can remember. Here I learned good study habits and the importance of getting a good education. I think it’s paying off, because just the other day I was accepted to USC on a 97% scholarship. I will be studying pre-med on my way to becoming a doctor.

The Mission has helped my family and me so much that now I want to begin paying back. Not because I’m supposed to, but because that’s what my heart is telling me to do. I care a lot about people who are poor and needy, and with God’s help I hope to do what I can to help them in my future career as a doctor.

I’m grateful to you

I also want to thank you who give your money and volunteer efforts to the Mission. I think I’d be right in saying that nice people like you who support the Mission are its life-blood. I promise you that in the days ahead I’ll be back here often to do what I can to help others.

I’m grateful that the Fred Jordan Mission has been in my life all these years. Thank you for all you are doing to help someone like me.