When Badaru stepped onto Providence sidewalks at 13, his family was still figuring out how to pay rent. The family relied on Crossroads, a local nonprofit that shelters the homeless, and even slept in the father’s car for a short span before securing low‑income housing. That brief period of uncertainty shaped the young man's later resilience.
A year later, Badaru enrolled at the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School. The school, founded in 2011, was designed to introduce high‑schoolers to nursing careers. For Badaru, the program offered structure and a clear roadmap that would otherwise have remained a vague aspiration.
Today, Badaru works the night shift in Rhode Island Hospital’s neuro ICU, caring for patients with severe neurological conditions. His credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse certification, Critical Care certification, and advanced emergency medical training. His personal history of homelessness informs his bedside manner, allowing him to connect with patients who feel vulnerable.
Beyond patient care, Badaru has returned to RINI as a mentor, dedicating dozens of hours to help students chart their own paths. Recently, he was elected to the school’s 12‑member board of directors, giving him a say in curriculum and student support. His appointment signals a closing loop: a former homeless teenager now guiding tomorrow’s nurses.