Higher Education = Higher Earnings

The Why Behind What We Do,
and How 2021 Charter School Grads Benefited From Donations

`“The median weekly pay in 2020 for workers with a bachelor’s degree was $1,305, compared with $938 for those with an associate’s degree and $781 for high school graduates", according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s precisely why we do what we do…we do what we can to get financially disadvantaged students the additional support they need to make achieving that well-deserved degree a little easier.​

Every school year we assist a different group of 11th & 12 grade students by: 
~ channeling College Access funds raised toward College prep, counseling, application and scholarship research assistance, and tutoring. These invaluable programs cultivate dreams and hope. They change the trajectory of students' lives, by allowing them to jump start a journey toward higher education, professional ambitions, and upward mobility.
~ channeling Supplemental Scholarship awards to each year’s 12th grade college scholarship recipients to help with essential expenses (of which there are many) and help reduce their debt burden.

How Donations Impacted 16 Students

Thanks to those who donated during our fundraiser, we can all enjoy the big smile on Skylar’s face, with her gift card for transportation expenses, her MacAir and Supplemental Scholarship award letter. She’ll double-major in equine studies and biology en route to her goal of becoming a veterinarian: "Thank you!! Sincerely, Skylar Smith, 12th Grade, 2021."

In addition to Skylar,

• Luz, going to Northeastern University in Boston, wrote,"I just wanted to say thanks again for the laptop! It will be a great help to me in college and I appreciate the well wishes."
• Damaris, who flew to Oregon to study Psychology at Lewis & Clark en route to teaching, wrote to the school’s college counselor, "Please thank All Out For Change for me again :)”   With her Amex gift card she purchased her flight to Oregon and text books, including a $99 Psychology text book.

2 of the 4 students who received the awards for transportation to Oregon, southeastern Virginia, Florida, Chicago, also received refurbished mac laptops. And 12 others received macs as well; 3 were donated, and with funds raised we purchased the other 11.

How Fortunate They Are

Though their families have very limited income (about 50% of the school’s students receive free and reduced-price lunches), the students are rich with potential, and have the good fortune, via a lottery, to attend a top-notch public charter school where they could cultivate their potential and become competitive college and scholarship candidates with help of a full-time college counselor who we collaborate with. Typically, public schools in less affluent zip codes nationwide aren’t able to provide for students in this way, and not everyone wins the lottery in DC to their school of choice. 

My heart goes out to those whose potential to soar is stalled due to their misfortune of being in underfunded, understaffed schools, part of our educational system’s inequity. Our 16 inspiring, hard-working student scholars are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to overcome, at least, that disadvantage. Helping them move along on their journey toward a degree, a fulfilling profession and upward mobility with a little more ease is important to me and to our mission.​

To start replenishing the Funds for 2021-2022 11th & 12 grade scholars donate below

Donate to Cultivate Change

Listen to eye-opening interviews  with student scholars and successful young professionals. Learn about their financial struggles, achievements, hurdles, and good fortune as they pursue upward mobility.

Thanks again on behalf of Skylar, Luz, Damaris, Erik, Shamaari, Cyndy, David, Victoria, Franchelis, Guadalupe, Juana, Noelvin, Katherine, Henry, Johan, and Lizbeth.​

Sincerely,

MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder
AllOutForChange®