Once upon a time, in Orange County, in an urban neighborhood filled with a diverse range of people, there lived two best friends, Owen and Cooper.

Owen is a bright and determined young boy who loves going to school, playing basketball, and reading. Owen is currently living under a bridge, due to his family being unable to find employment because of the highly populated city they live in.

Cooper is Owen's best friend who also shares a love for basketball and learning, who faces similar struggles due to his family's lack of employment and struggles to afford basic necessities such as school supplies, food, stable housing, and shoes. 

Me too!!

I LOVE school!!

Despite the challenges they face, Owen and Cooper find joy in their school and learning, a place that welcomes them.

Unfortunately, their happiness is threatened one day when Cooper’s family is thrown out of their home due to his family’s lack of financial stability and unaffordable housing in Orange County.

Sorry Owen, your dad and I couldn't find a job.

Owen’s family, too, struggled with finding steady employment, making it difficult for them to afford even the most basic necessities to survive, let alone for Owen to live under a roof, learn, and stay in school.

Despite these challenges, Owen and Cooper are motivated by their dreams and aspirations for a better future through education.

I can't focus in class Owen.

Sadly, there are many obstacles that stand in their way. The lack of stable housing makes it hard for them to focus on their studies. And their struggles at home make it difficult for them to keep up in the classroom.

Their financial struggles meant they couldn't access resources like school supplies and transportation. Therefore, they miss a lot of school and even got kicked off their school basketball team because of poor attendance.

And on top of that, they face bullying from classmates who don't understand their situation. The bullies would make fun of their dirty clothes and shoes with holes in them.

When Owen and Cooper are at their lowest, help arrives in the form of a government funded local shelter that provides temporary housing and support for Owen and Cooper's families. Some of the parents who noticed Cooper and Owen’s situation advocated for the government to help them out.

Owen and Cooper receive new school supplies, sports equipment, and books, which help them thrive in and out of the classroom.

Their education continues to flourish and they are able to keep progressing in school with help from the government. They are also let back on their school’s basketball team because their attendance improved.