Imagine you’re an ambitious 12th grader with hopes and goals for a college degree and profession, to achieve independence and not raise a family in need of free meals. You got your scholarship for tuition and housing but how do you pay for all the additional essentials like books, laptop, transportation to college, school & dorm supplies, activities fees, meals. At a DC university the meal plan costs $3000/semester. You work part-time while in high school and plan to while in college, but a large portion of your paycheck has to go to your family’s electric bill. Another DC university has a Food Pantry for students experiencing food scarcity. Wealthier families don’t have problems covering the cost of meals and all the other supplemental necessities for their sons and daughters.
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Read an eye-opening story, a first hand experience and get the picture: “I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.” by Anthony Abraham Jack, author of The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students.

Give to Cultivate Independence & Stories of Achievement
Education in the US, unlike other developed countries, is fraught with systemic injustice, built-in roadblocks for youth from families with limited financial resources. All Out for Change®, via organizations and students we support with College Access Funds and Supplemental Scholarship Funds, helps break through the roadblocks along the journey to achievement and upward mobility.

Why isn’t anyone talking about outdoor classrooms? With sports cancelled and fields and playgrounds available among other unused outside spaces, large, medium and small canopy tents can be set up, and chairs and tables arranged with space needed between students. Pods of students could be created. Wouldn’t this idea present a safer option, with some brainstorming, resourcefulness, and thinking outside the (classroom) box? 

People use open canopy tents for outdoor events for sun and rain protection. Restaurants in DC now use them to replace parking lanes for additional outdoor seating with extra space between tables; people feel safer outdoors instead of indoors. While talking with a colleague about my idea she suggested canopies with a couple of roll up sides in case students need more weather protection. 

Christine Esposito, a teacher, recently wrote in The Washington Post, “Many risks stand in the way of me being with my students”. I’m curious as to how receptive teachers and parents would be to this idea if “These 8 Basic Steps” from The Atlantic July 9 Ideas contributors were combined with outdoor classrooms. 

Run an outdoor classrooms idea by infectious disease experts to get their thoughts. The more heads that come together to think outside the (classroom) box, the more likely it could be tested and tweaked. 

When I shared the idea with a friend, she suggested unused cafeteria tables and chairs for desks. Then I thought, put cardboard figures in between students to create space protection and set up modular plexiglass shields; and maybe everyone wears face shields in addition to masks; and put out sanitizer jugs everywhere, and give pocket-sized sanitizers to students, teachers and staff.

We need to explore ways to meet ALL needs and minimize risk. The 11th and 12th graders we support through All Out for Change®, who are the first in their families with aspirations for college, experience disadvantages without real teacher time and school resources to cultivate their achievement. Their wealthier peers, whose well-educated parents can help with online schooling at home, have quite an advantage.

It might be wise to look into this, perhaps less risky idea further as an option, so our less wealthy youth can be better served in the coming year. We need to prevent their fall further down the ladder they’re climbing in pursuit of higher education, careers and upward mobility. We must put our heads together to facilitate continued achievement and keep ALL students on track.

I didn’t expect my curiosity about the idea of outdoor classrooms to take me down the systemic inequities path. But not surprising that’s where my thoughts headed since the organization I founded addresses the systemic inequities many low-income high school students face, including the “digital divide” that hurts them now more than ever. Last year we provided a local youth development program with 9 laptops for a computer workshop and workspace. We were told it was a “game changer” for 11th and 12th graders; unfortunately, students without computers can’t access the space now nor can they attend group college counseling and professional development workshops in the space. 

Since campus shutdowns, the computers we provided to individual 11th and 12th graders have been invaluable tools, allowing them to go online for classes at home. Yes, the computers the students received are a silver lining around a massive dark cloud. But as the new school year approaches, a July 22 Washington Post article shed light on another systemic injustice arising out of the pandemic: “Private teachers and the cost of inequality; Many parents are set to pay for home lessons to avoid health risk, remote learning woes, widening education gap”. 

The students who received computers from us could finish the school year online, but they will face a more serious disadvantage besides no family members to help with homeschooling in the coming year. Now their wealthier peers’ parents are paying for private teachers to create in-home schools.  Campus shutdowns clearly exacerbate the conundrums and hurdles our system presents to under-resourced students in their pursuit of high school achievement and higher education.

And speaking of conundrums, I totally appreciate Ms. Esposito’s concerns as a teacher, and wonder how everyone could be better served in the new school year. If infectious disease specialists suggested that some version of the outdoor classroom idea could possibly work, by implementing specific protocol, would she, as a teacher and parent, consider being with her students?

MaryAnn Puglisi
Chief Engagement Officer & Founder 
All Out for Change®
Washington, DC

Donate your Macs today - cultivate hope & success! All Out for Change® is fortunate to have a Mac specialist committed to helping our 11th & 12th graders, and college students stay on track by transforming your used equipment into essential tools for students in need. We have 4 more students with immediate needs.  If you live in the DC metro area, and would like to make arrangements for us to take computers off your hands and put them into students’ hands, please email me, maryann@alloutforchange.org.
Since March, we have equipped 21 students pursuing high school and college degrees with computers, allowing them to stay on track and connected during campus shutdowns and remote learning. With the invaluable help of Mitch at Computers on Demand, we have provided:

• 7 refurbished iMacs to 11th and 12th graders without computers at home in need of them for school and their college prep program; their tutor, and a student's family.
• 14 refurbished MacBooks to high school grads, college students who returned home without good working laptops, and 12th graders anticipating they’ll need them through the school year and then in college;
• we’re about to gift 4 more MacBooks to 2020 high school grads starting college online soon, and then hopefully safely on campus in the near future.

Campus shutdowns shed light on the “digital divide” and serious consequences for a student’s present ability to stay on course toward high school and college degrees, and future opportunities. Share in the gratification of a donated computer that’s essential to an ambitious youth’s educational & professional pursuits, and upward mobility.

Supplemental Scholarship funds will help high school grads with expenses like small tuition gaps (enrollment not allowed otherwise), transportation to and from school, laptops, books & school supplies ($1,200), dorm room bedding and towels, essentials that students' families can't afford. 
College Access Funds typically help with for costs of college fairs, campus visits, college prep workshops, application fees; currently, many college students without housing and meals on campus have additional emergency needs for food and housing assistance, internet access during the pandemic and campus shut downs. 
Help make success happen through invaluable college prep programs we support: 

• American University awarded Desmond a full scholarship to study Computer Science to pursue a career in IT; Clyde, a Cameroonian refuge, received a 89% scholarship to study pre-med and biology at Albright College in PA; also with Scholarship funds, Janiya will attend Old Dominion University, and Denise, Bowie State University; Cierra, a Psychology major, graduated from Salisbury University, MD and will attend graduate school.  
• Braswell, has an undergraduate and graduate degree in Education and works for the Tucson School District; Fabricio participated in a professional and technical skills program and we hear he has "done marvelously as an IT guy", purchased a house for his family and, mentors a 12th grader.

With your support they can continue their coursework and pursue their professional aspirations en route to upward mobility.

"Conspicuously left out of the $2 trillion stimulus package, most high school seniors and many college students are not eligible for broad financial assistance from the government to help them dig out of the pandemic's economic hole." The Washington Post, April 24, 2020

Campaign Ends May 5th, Giving Tuesday 

According to The Washington Post, 44% of all workers in the US have jobs that are considered low wage, with median pay of $10.22/per hour; additionally they lack benefits such as health insurance. Many students and their parents held low wage jobs and no longer have them! What a predicament ... up that creek without a paddle. You can’t just go out and buy a new or used laptop; neither you nor your family has the money, especially now if both of you lost a job.
All Out for Change® provides hope and help to low-income students like Kevin, Taronne, Da-Quon and American Indian college scholars faced with potentially tragic consequences due to campus shutdowns along with their limited financial resources (the socio-economic conundrum built into our country’s educational system).

Campaign Ends May 5th, Giving Tuesday 

DONATE ($10 minimum) and we'll donate $10 more. 
Help spread the word about our students and American Indian college scholars' urgently needed computers, housing & food: share our e news; like or share our facebook page.

Stay well and help make good news happen!
MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder
AllOutForChange®

"Conspicuously left out of the $2 trillion stimulus package, most high school seniors and many college students are not eligible for broad financial assistance from the government to help them dig out of the pandemic's economic hole."     The Washington Post, April 24, 2020

According to The Washington Post, 44% of all workers in the US have jobs that are considered low wage, with median pay of $10.22/per hour; additionally they lack benefits such as health insurance. Many students and their parents held low wage jobs and no longer have them! What a predicament ... up that creek without a paddle. You can’t just go out and buy a new or used laptop; neither you nor your family has the money, especially now if both of you lost a job.
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Imagine you’re an ambitious 11th grade student and fortunate participant in a non-profit’s college prep program. You need to keep up your grades since you’re reaching high, for college acceptance, a scholarship, and a degree en route to upward mobility.  With no computer at hand you sit helpless ... up that creek without a paddle! Read on about the “paddle” we provided Kevin with.

 Kevin’s iMac - a Silver Lining Around a Massive Cloud 

His good fortune includes not only the iMac and the college prep program, but also a mentor who is a program alum, who 10 years ago followed a vocational track, now successful in the IT field, and purchased a home for his family! That’s the upward mobility we’re talking about that “takes a village” to bring their ambition and talent to fruition.
Now do you get the picture? Kevin is among the many students struggling to stay on course with schoolwork and couldn’t without access to the technology. We hope he continues to have a roof over his head and healthful meals. His is a vastly different life from his wealthier peers who not only have access to their classes online, but also have parents receiving pitches daily for online acting classes, music lessons, tutoring, on-line read-alouds, science & technology websites. Is the photo becoming more heartwarming for you as well, knowing what a difference that little old iMac will make in his life… someone else’s trade-in gets a new life, and gives a new life. Thanks to our alchemist Mac wizard we provided 3 students and a tutor with iMacs. 
All Out for Change® provides hope and help to low-income students like Kevin, Taronne, Da-Quon and American Indian college scholars faced with potentially tragic consequences due to campus shutdowns along with their limited financial resources (the socio-economic conundrum built into our country’s educational system).

Help spread the word about our students and American Indian college scholars' urgently needed computers, housing and food: share our e news; like or share our facebook page.

Stay well and help make good news happen!
MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder
AllOutForChange®

Imagine being an ambitious high school or college student without access to a computer amidst the pandemic and unable to use a library, rec center, school, or youth development program computer due to stay at home orders!? Kevin is among the fortunate few who through us and others, pulling for him, has a good chance of making it now through the school shutdown: continue his studies, communicate online with his tutor, continue in his college prep workshop, search for colleges and scholarships. What an empowering tool, a basic necessity in the educational system today. Where would he be without it?!

His good fortune includes not only the iMac and the college prep program, but also a mentor who is a program alum, who 10 years ago followed a vocational track, now successful in the IT field, and purchased a home for his family! That’s the upward mobility we’re talking about that “takes a village” to bring that ambition and talent to fruition.

Now do you get the picture? Kevin is among the many students struggling to stay on course with schoolwork and couldn’t without access to the technology; his is a vastly different life from his wealthier peers who not only have access to their classes online, but also have parents receiving pitches for online acting classes, music lessons, tutoring, on-line read-alouds, science & technology websites… is the photo becoming more heartwarming for you as well, knowing what a difference that little old iMac will make in his life… someone else’s trade-in gets a new life, and gives a new life. Thanks to our alchemist Mac wizard we provided 3 students and a tutor with iMacs.
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All Out for Change® is committed to helping students like Kevin faced with obstacles to upward mobility due to financial disadvantage (the socio-economic conundrum tragically built into our country’s educational system).

Forward this email to others to help American Indian College Scholars
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We pitch in $10 for every enews subscriber you lead us to, and for every donation ($10 minimum).

Forward our good news to help get the word out to raise funds for $400 ipads and $700 laptops and internet access so these students can stay on track in pursuit of college degrees and living wage professions, upward mobility.  Possible impact: 10 new subscribers and 55 - $10 donations means 3 ipads for 3 American Indian college scholars with emergency need. There’s an enormous need now while campuses and other facilities are closed. 
Make a donation, even a small one, and help get the word out through our fundraising chain and experience the “Happy to have helped” feeling I did!

DONATE ($10 minimum) and we'll donate $10 more. 
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Help get the word out, like or share our new ​Facebook page.

There wouldn't be any of these good stories without the eye-opening conundrums that All Out For Change® seeks to solve.

Watch a short TODAY SHOW segment with an aspiring opera singer
School Counselors Increasingly are Missing Link in Getting Kids to College
“I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.” Anthony Abraham Jack, New York Times

Stay well and help make good news happen!
MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder
AllOutForChange®

Your contribution fulfills dreams, gives economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence.

We believe that youth, regardless of family wealth, deserve an opportunity to achieve. Higher education is a proven route to upward mobility and all of ​our youth deserve a chance to pursue their aspirations. Your contributions to the College Access Fund fulfills dreams, gives economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence.

So Many Youth Need More Than Financial Aid to Succeed; All Out for Change®  Fills That Critical Need 

Immediate Priority Needs for College Prep Essentials & Success: As college and scholarship application season ramps up, we're raising College Access Funds for our Supplemental Scholarship Fund that helps with essentials like laptops, books, tuition gaps, meals, and  transportation to and from college, essentials that tuition and housing scholarships don't include. The College Access Fund also covers 11 and 12th graders' professional development workshops and college prep and counseling workshops. Using laptops we donated they learn to do college and scholarship searches, prepare college applications and essays. Funds also cover transportation to and from the workshops and college application fees.

 ​In Their Words - Senior Aspiration Statements

Your contribution fulfills dreams, gives economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence:
​
Janiya 
“I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and when I graduate I plan on majoring in Psychology at a university that allows me to intern. My number one school is Winston Salem University in North Carolina. After college I hope to become an intern in a program that allows insight into child development and child therapy. I want to go to college to further my education so that I will be career ready. I am most excited about learning the basics and deeper meaning behind developmental and child psychology. I am a woman of my words and determination that is able to achieve my big goals.”

D’Anthony
“My goal after college is to be working for a major sports broadcasting company like ESPN or Sports Center. I want to be a sports journalist and have the opportunity to write for one of the companies.”

Traneece 
“My goal after high school is to go to college and study biochemistry to become a clinical pathologist and have the opportunity to study diseases in the human body.”

Eye-Opening Student Conundrum Stories that All Out for Change® Seeks to Solve

​Watch a short TODAY SHOW segment with an aspiring opera singer.
School Counselors Increasingly are Missing Link in Getting Kids to College 
“I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.” Anthony Abraham Jack, New York Times
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So Many Urban, Rural, and American Indian Reservation Youth Need More Than Financial Aid to Succeed; All Out for Change®  Fills That Critical Need 
Contribute to Cultivate Success!​

but don't worry, we won't clutter your inbox!

Contributions give economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence

"Yes, he headed off to Emory University. We were able to cover his scholarship tuition gap through you and other supporters. I heard he’s doing well,” I replied to a contributor concerned about London’s conundrum.
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End of July, with an unexpected $9,000 scholarship tuition gap at a time when funds are least available, London worried about where to find the missing funds so that he could start to pursue his dream profession, orthopedic surgeon, at Emory University. 
“Thanks a million,” London said with a big smile, so grateful for the urgent, last minute financial assistance.” And many thanks to all of you who contributed to our summer 2019 College Access campaign. Read about other creatively resolved conundrums and how others' support makes a difference. 

We help out in these small, but big ways; 12th graders submit applications for assistance with some unaffordable essentials. Below are the fortunate recipients of All Out for Change® Supplemental Scholarship Fund awards thanks to your support:

Iisis: 
Iisis received $500 which has helped her purchase books for her classes and a laptop for her studies. She is attending Prince George’s County Community College, where she is studying child psychology and plans on transferring to a four year program after earning her Associate's Degree.

Gerald:
Thanks to a lot of financial aid, Gerald is attending University of Maryland College Park where he is studying journalism. He received $250 to cover the cost of his books for his fall semester.
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Jade:
Jade is attending Widener University in Pennsylvania. She received $250 to help her cover the costs of her books this semester. 
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Ramari:  
Ramari is attending Morgan State University. She received $750 that went towards her fall semester's tuition.

The donated MacBooks have changed things significantly for 11th and 12th grade students.  Besides being used for job searches, researching colleges and financial aid, students now can sit in front of computers and follow along during the college counselor workshop when being taught how to explore schools and opportunities online, versus just sitting and listening. I’m deeply grateful to all who pitched in.

In our meeting it felt awkward when he asked for my card, and it read, “Dedicated to achievement for less fortunate youth,” referencing their families' limited resources and hence, limitations in this day and age toward achieving their American dream. At that moment, I realized that he and the other teens are super fortunate to be in this life-changing program. That label, "less fortunate youth,”  throughout our website will disappear. It’s a challenge to come up with a phrase or word that feels right… after all we aren’t supporting youth whose families already have the funds to cover their college and basic expenses, like books, tuition, SAT prep courses, college counselors, transportation to school or to visit colleges etc. We’re probably not going to use “underserved” any longer; it’s too academic and doesn’t paint the picture. Maybe, "youth faced with financial disadvantages"?  Any suggestions? ​

The fourteen 2020 grads on the path to achieving their dreams will have similar needs as the 2019 group. Watch your email in December for the opportunity to give them helpful financial support for essentials. 
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Thanks for the giving!
MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder
AllOutForChange®

Please send to others, or share on social media.

In reading eye-opening conundrum stories, and talking with students and program directors, we've learned there is a tremendous urgent need for Supplemental Scholarship Funds. Typically, students request support for books, tuition, laptops and school-related transportation costs.

Many families don’t have the resources, not only for college and college prep, but also for the basics their sons & daughters will need to pursue their dreams.​ 

​“Because of you, I’m gonna have my dream." 
"My daughter had a friend who was living from couch to couch and thought he could never go to college. She told him I could help, and I did. I helped him with applications and financial-aid forms; gave him some money for gas; took him on two college tours. Then I got stopped in the grocery store by two other kids who asked, "Would you get us in, too?" A kid would say, "Would you take me to see a college on Saturday?" and I'd say sure. Then another six kids would get in the car with me.

The kids started getting into college. I’d buy them $150 worth of clothes, get them a backpack full of supplies, buy their bedding for the dorm and drive them to school. I’d visit them in the beginning of the semester and get them bus tickets to come back. I helped seven students in eight years while working as an accountant, a controller and a CFO.
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Then a kid named Nicholas said to me: “Because of you, I’m gonna have my dream." " *
*Excerpt from The Washington Post, Changing Channels, June 9, 2019

How Donations Have Made a Difference

College Access Fund donations allowed 12th graders to:
· attend college fairs, college prep workshops and professional workshops;
· visit colleges with food and transportation costs covered.

College Access Fund donations increased a senior Scholarship Fund from $1000 to $2500 for this summer’s application-based scholarship needs, such as laptops, books, tuition, and school-related transportation costs.
 
The donated MacBooks allowed the students to research scholarship and job opportunities, colleges and vocational schools.
 
2019 Winter Wish List donations provided much needed equipment (sleeping bag liners, tents, gloves, water jugs, a cooler, camping lantern and cameras) for the 6th through 12th graders in a year-round outdoor recreational program that also includes leadership development, team building, and environmental education.
 
Used and unused gift cards that were sent us (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) are going into an Emergency Fund for the students in college and heading off to college to fulfill needs like: school supplies, dorm furniture, bedding, bath towels, clothes for an interview, for example.
 
Donate Gift Cards
Used and unused gift cards can make a big difference no matter what the amount is. No need to research the amount; they will be put to good use for school supplies, dorm furniture and bedding, food emergencies, and more.

Help us give less privileged youth opportunities, support, and resources their wealthier peers benefit from to push the envelope, grow, become competitive college candidates, and achieve their potential. Through you and your support we can make a big difference in someone else’s life. And for that, I am very grateful!

Many Many Thanks,

MaryAnn Puglisi
Chief Engagement Officer
www.alloutforchange.org

Please send to others, or share on social media.