Former Homeless 'Motel Kid Of OC' Goes To College

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Dilan Oezkan, a Saddleback High School Senior and Simon Scholar, was celebrated for his accomplishments by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Oezkan, 18, carries a 4.4-grade point average, works part-time at Chick Fil A, as he has since he was a freshman.

Like many kids in Orange County, he appeared on Television as a child. Unlike many Orange County kids, he grew up homeless.

The Oezkan family was one of many interviewed on film in the HBO documentary"Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County." The story painted a grim picture of families sharing one room, kids dreaming of a future, a home, and a better life.

"There were points where I was at rock bottom," Oezkan told the OCDE Newsroom. "I slept outside in the dark some nights. My family and I had nothing."

A teacher who believed in him, Diane Estill, "saw something special in Dilan," and nominated him for a Simon Scholarship Foundation program. As a Simon Scholar, he has received $16,000 for educational costs and now hopes to not only go on to college, he wants to inspire homeless youth.

With his salary, scholarships, and sponsors, he rented his first apartment at age 17, near South Coast Plaza. There, he has his own bedroom, an indoor closet that is big enough for someone to sleep in, he said. His work at Chick-Fil-A has been rewarded, starting entry level, he now works as a marketing director and creates ad campaigns. However, Oezkan remains focused on his education.

Oezkan is applying to multiple schools, still waiting to see where he will go next, and wherever that is, he hopes to have expenses covered through the aid of scholarships.

"I want to work with a nonprofit, or create my own nonprofit to help homeless children," he has said. As someone once reached out a hand up to him, he has aims on doing the same.

According to Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, "Dilan hopes to inspire other homeless youth" and "give back to the generous people and families who helped him get to this point in his life."

Working hard to set himself on a "road to self-sufficiency," Do proudly recognized Oezkan as being an "inspiration to everyone."