Animation: Thomas Thorspecken, former Disney Animator, now an independent artist and illustrative journalist; check him out at analogartistdigitalworld.com. Our courageous Sam in the video is a neighbor I’m very fortunate to know. His social equity awareness at the age of 12, as displayed in his memoir, set the foundation for the rest of his life. These days he takes action by supporting All Out for Change® and other charities. “I’m donating my next stimulus check to charities and organizations that aid children and promote social equity. I’ve already earmarked $900 for righteous causes, including $100 to All Out for Change,” wrote Sam in a recent note. Financially disadvantaged, hard-working 2021 high school grads with college scholarships will need assistance with other essential expenses such as, laptops, books, small tuition gaps, meal plans, dorm and school supplies, transportation to college, etc; all basics that their wealthier peers’ families can afford. Investments like Sam’s in the ambitious students we support will cover their shortfall and provide supplemental assistance where needed. Defining Social Equity “PolicyLink defines equity as “just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Unlocking the promise of the nation by unleashing the promise in us all.” The American Planning Association “It Takes a Village” to Open Doors to Opportunity and Upward Mobility from an inequitable educational system that does a serious disservice to our youth from working poor families (security guards, food prep and waitstaff, childcare and healthcare workers). Neither extra-curricular enrichment programs, nor essentials can be covered with the famiilies' low-wage, yet invaluable jobs they perform. Nor do they have the privilege of living in an affluent zip code where higher property taxes fund exceptional public schools. So, unlike their wealthier peers, ambitious first generation college freshman face many systemic challenges in high school and college. To better grasp today’s systemic hurdles toward upward mobility read this personal eye-opening account, “I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.” Anthony Abraham Jack, New York Times. His book, The Privileged Poor,captures the inequity and the struggles students face to change their lives for good, and presents ways the system can better support them. Find numerous riveting personal accounts on our Eye-Opening Stories page, including, A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America's First All-Black High School Rowing Team by Arshay Cooper; or choose from among numerous revealing, compelling books. All Out for Change®, through understanding & thoughtful supporters, serves as one of numerous essential players facilitating ambitious students’ rise above the systemic hurdles.
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MaryAnn PuglisiChief Engagement Officer, AllOutForChange.org Categories |