Kevin Jude Basan

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Bachelor of Business Finance, San Jose State University

Kevin Jude was born in Mindanao, Philippines. He moved to California in 2006, where he attended high school and graduated in 2011. Shortly after graduating, he joined the US Marine Corps. During training in 2013, he injured and dislocated his shoulder which inevitably became worse throughout the years. By the time the problem was finally identified, the muscle was already damaged and torn. Kevin Jude required surgery. Following his operation, he was in therapy for almost a full year before being medically discharged.

After leaving the Marines in 2016, Kevin Jude decided to pursue higher education. He discovered Sentinels of Freedom through fellow Sentinel Simon Sandoval. He applied and was accepted to the Fall 2016 Cohort. During his time with SoF, Kevin Jude was able to gain financial independence and move into his own home after having lived with roommates for an extended period of time. Sentinels also connected him to a mentor who has been incredibly beneficial, as well as a case manager who provided him with personal support throughout his schooling. Kevin Jude completed his Bachelor’s in Business Finance with San Jose State University in May 2021. Following graduation, he ran a successful clothing company, Illiminate Streetwear. In January 2024, Kevin Jude decided to make a career change is now working for Intel as a Mask Manufacturing Technician in San Jose, California.

“Without the SOF program, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. The most beneficial thing to me from them is the positive step-by-step support that guided me through transitioning smoothly and helped me graduate college successfully. Being in the program made me realize that I have so much more potential to become the best version of myself.”