London’s Late Summer Tuition Gap Filled!"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. 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. 2018 College Access Fund Donations Made a Difference for 2019 High School GradsWe 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 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. Jade: Jade is attending Widener University in Pennsylvania. She received $250 to help her cover the costs of her books this semester. Ramari: Ramari is attending Morgan State University. She received $750 that went towards her fall semester's tuition. And the 8 Macbooks?“It’s been a game changer to have them!” remarked the 11th & 12th grader’s program director. Many thanks to my Mac guy, Mitch, at Computers on Demand, who’s a wizard at updating older laptops his customers hand to him. 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. Thanks to London, too!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? December Fundraiser Coming to Your Inbox 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. Or donate now and you won’t receive year-end fundraiser clutter from us, nor the possibility of losing track of our campaign among all the other stuff in your inbox. Thanks for the giving! MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder AllOutForChange® Please send to others, or share on social media.
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 DONATE to the Scholarship Fund by TUESDAY, JULY 23rd and I will personally donate $25 more (up to 100 Donations) “A scholarship fund is the highest need...deepening our scholarship funding pool would be a really excellent way for us to support our youth and their next steps. The most consistent ask that I hear across the board is for scholarship support,” remarks a program coordinator with our favorite youth development program. Students request support for books, tuition, laptops and school-related transportation costs in their Scholarship Fund applications. 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. 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 Learn How You Have Made a Difference Your 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. Your College Access Fund donations increased the 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. Your 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’ year-round outdoor recreational programs that also include leadership development, team building, and environmental education. Your used and unused gift cards that you sent us (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) are going into the 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 Your 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. DONATE to the Scholarship Fund by TUESDAY, JULY 23rd and I will personally donate $25 more (up to 100 Donations)Share in the fulfillment; donate & feel good now! LAST DAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17I wish I could convey in writing the powerful unexpected surge of fulfillment I experienced when I met with our partner staff to deliver the boxes of 25 gloves, 11 sleeping bag liners, and 3 cameras for the winter outdoor camping trips. Once I returned, exploding with excitement, I shared it in a conversation with a colleague; told her of their need for 9 more sleeping bag liners. She surprised me with a check to cover several more. Then I knew I had to find a way to cover the remaining 6. It took one phone call to someone who “got it”, asking, “how many more do you need?” I replied, “6”, and to that he said, “done, I got it!” At that moment, I found myself inspired by their inspiration to go for the rest of the wish list somehow. Just sharing my “fulfilling day” story with a neighbor, another unexpected donation materialized, “I’m in for 200!” And, so I found myself off and running, with funds now started for tents, stoves, coolers, lanterns. So, last week, I told the Program Director I’m hoping to provide for the rest of the equipment needs. She appreciatively remarked, “I can’t explain to you how much this is going to help with programming. And, the computers are extremely helpful for college applications, applying for jobs, and scholarship research.” In mid-January, before I dropped off the equipment, the Program Director shared some gratitude, “I told the Program Coordinators about all the new gear coming in and they're particularly happy about the sleeping bag liners. Thanks again so much MaryAnn! All this gear is really going to help us a ton.” It wasn’t until I arrived there the following week and experienced it first hand, did I really “get it”. Share in the fulfillment; donate & feel good now! LAST DAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Wish List Campaign Goal: $2,829 Keep Students Equipped, Warm & Engaged Help us reach our goal of $2,829 by Sunday, February 17 to fulfill the equipment wish list (tents, coolers, camp stoves, lanterns, and more) of our favorite youth development organization. In early March the 6th - 12th graders begin their 2019 camping trips participating in outdoor recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and biking, and in environmental education, team building and professional development.Help us give them 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 Please send to others, or share on social media.
When you make a December donation I will personally donate $50 to the All Out for Change® College Access Fund that helps less privileged 12th graders pay for college application fees and visits to colleges. It’s my way of honoring my parents who both came from poor families and achieved upward mobility at a time when it could be done without even finishing high school (my Dad dropped out in 10th grade). I was blessed by their success and ability to go ALL OUT for my education. They acquired the resources to invest in a better future for me, and likewise All Out for Change® goes ALL OUT for our disadvantaged youth who deserve to achieve their potential when upward mobility without a college diploma is barely feasible. Imagine being in their shoes. December Campaign Goal: $5,160Help us reach our goal of $5,160 by December 31 to fulfill the equipment wish list (tents, gloves, coolers, camp stoves, lanterns, cameras, and more) of our favorite youth development organization. This winter and spring the 6th - 12th graders will go on camping trips participating in outdoor recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and biking, and in environmental education, team building and professional development. Help us give them opportunities, support, and resources their wealthier peers benefit from to push the envelope, grow, become competitive college candidates, and achieve their potential. Gift Card DonationsIf you receive gift cards this holiday season, please consider sending them to us to support our College Access Fund. CLICK HERE TO DONATE GIFT CARDS.These teens are on a challenging journey to achieve their dreams. All Out for Change® gives everyone with a desire to help less fortunate youth succeed, a place to act on that desire. Learn more, and donate, AllOutForChange.org Read About An Inspiring Success Story! Anthony, the aspiring opera singer and recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant, accepted a full scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He used the grant for applications to 7 schools and travel expenses to visit. When we met in May 2018 for a recap he shared the scholarship outcomes and his decision. With gratitude for all the support he received on his journey over the years he remarked, “It really does take a village!" Look What Your Gifts Accomplished!
With All your donations this year we delivered: • our College Access Fund grant to the invaluable youth development program we support, allowing All of us to help less privileged 12th graders with their college application fees and travel expenses to visit colleges; • 47 water bottles & 20 headlamps (remember… each donation led to an All Out for Change® “Thanks for your donation gift” to a student summer camper in need of equipment for their youth development summer experience); • 6 refurbished MacBooks to the after-school program, allowing students to research and apply for scholarships and complete college applications, to change their lives for good through higher education, professions, and a living wage. Gratefully, MaryAnn Puglisi AllOutForChange.org |
MaryAnn PuglisiChief Engagement Officer, AllOutForChange.org Archives
November 2019
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Creating an alliance dedicated to achievement for financially disadvantaged youth;
a healthier America, venturing outdoors; promoting parks, local business and community. 1431 21st St. NW · Suite 302 | Washington, DC 20036 | 202-857-8384 All Out for Change® is a registered 501(c)(3) charity: donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. |