Richmond, VA — Max Jones, a 19-year-old African American teen from Richmond, Virginia, once lived in his car while finishing high school. With help from teachers and a local pastor, he is now set to graduate and has received full scholarship offers from several colleges.

According to WDTV, Max grew up in North Carolina, where he faced constant financial hardship and unstable housing, living with his mother and half-siblings. Wanting a better future, he decided to take a bus to Richmond and enrolled at George Wythe High School.

Without a permanent home, Max ended up living in his car. He had no access to basic needs like regular showers and consistent meals.

“I still wore the same clothes. They were never clean, they were never dirty. They were just wearing the same clothes. Like sweats, joggers, crocs,” he said. “I’m not able to take showers, I’m not able to eat.”

Despite these hardships, he kept going to school every day and working at a local restaurant. Teachers and mentors stepped in whenever they could, providing food and occasional hotel stays.

A turning point came when Pastor Robert Winfrey from New Life Deliverance Tabernacle visited Max’s school. After learning about Max’s situation, the pastor opened the church cottage to him, providing food, a clean bathroom, and a safe place to sleep.

“I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t completely dismantled because of his situation,” Winfrey said. “All he needed was that one push, and thank God so far he got that push.”

Now, Max is about to graduate from high school and has earned full scholarships to several colleges, including Paine College in Georgia, Virginia Union University, and Ohio State. He plans to give back to those who helped him and hopes to change the world.

“Maybe I might not be fully conscious of what I’m saying right now, but I’m going to change the world, and I’m going to give back to everybody that gave to me. Everybody,” he said.