Ray was a junior in high school—and homeless. After living in shelters, he finally found an apartment and a job to pay his rent. But he struggled to also keep up with his classes and eventually dropped out of school. “Having a roof over my head was more important,” Ray recalls with a shrug.

But while working a construction job, Ray became interested in the work of the architects. A friend referred him to On Point for College, a program that helps young people turn the dream of college into a reality. The program helps students every step of the way: from choosing the right career path, to finding the right school, to completing the complex application and financial aid forms. Beginning by getting his GED, Ray went on to earn an associate’s degree and is now enrolled in Syracuse University’s School of Architecture. Today, he’s got a great job at a local architecture firm but says he never would have accomplished any of this if he hadn’t gotten help. “When I was on the street, I could never have imagined that I would be where I am today,” Ray said. “Having people who believed I could do it was the most important thing. Their help made all the difference.”