Meet Deandre

Deandre had just entered his second year at UC Davis when he discovered a wealth of

resources at his fingertips.

“I wasn’t looking for resources, I was just trying to get adjusted to living on campus and

going to classes,” he said. “I checked my email one day and learned that I was eligible for

the UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program. That’s when I realized there was a lot more

happening on our campus than I realized.”

Deandre came to UC Davis because he liked the vibe of the campus, it was the best school

he had been accepted to and it was close enough to his support system. By the time he

entered his sophomore year and learned about the Guardian Scholars Program, he had

moved into his own apartment, but had hardly any furniture or appliances.

“That’s when the Guardian Scholars Program connected me to Make It Happen for Yolo

County,” Deandre said. “I thought maybe I’d get a lamp or a toaster, but they furnished my

whole apartment. I felt such a sense of relief that I didn’t have to try to buy everything from

a thrift store. That would have taken awhile to afford. They really helped me expedite the

process, and I’m so grateful to them.”

From appliances, pots, pans and a desk lamp to a shower curtain, hangers, vacuum cleaner

and more, Make It Happen ensured he had everything he needed for his home.

“I use everything all the time,” Deandre said. “I have utensils to eat with, I can hang up my

clothes, and I have new bath towels. I use my vacuum and broom to clean all the time. I no

longer have to focus on furnishing my apartment, thanks to Make It Happen. I can just focus

on my academics. It’s a real motivation boost toward my goals.”

Deandre says living on his own in a furnished space also gives him confidence and a sense

of self.

“I really have developed a sense of individuality,” he said. “I’m not depending on anyone else,

so I feel like I have crossed the threshold of being independent and can just be comfortable

being by myself and doing things for myself.”

Now a junior, Deandre is studying cinema, digital media and sociology and plans to

graduate in June 2025. He wants to work in film production but is still deciding in what

capacity.

“I need to figure out my part in that whole realm,” he said. “I just want to express myself

through my camera, and I know good things will come if I continue to do what I like.”

Deandre hopes other students eligible for the UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program will

choose to join and participate in the many resources available.

“I would tell new students in my situation, look out for your resources and be aware,”

Deandre said. “They could be scattered around, but they’re there. Like with Make It

Happen for Yolo County, that time could have been really stressful moving into a new

apartment with no furnishings or money to buy them. But the process was really easy,

and the person I worked with was very nice. That relieves a lot of stress.”