Take it all in...Year-end Big Picture in Videos, Student Conundrums & Fall Semester Impact-Solutions, Spring Semester Need Your Late Summer Through December Donations Fund Spring Semester Supplemental Scholarship Awards "Learning how little of the whole is covered by scholarships by engaging with students, learning from our conversations and emails, reading news articles and books, gives me more reason to stand behind our amazing select group of college scholarship recipients to help them avoid ScholarShipWreck.” MaryAnn Puglisi, Chief Engagement Officer & Founder of All Out for Change®. Get the picture by watching short videos below; and from our eye-opening stories page; and from “Financial aid letters can hide real cost of college”, Michelle Singletary, The Color of Money columnist, The Washington Post, Dec. 7, 2022 Most Scholarship Recipients Do Not Receive Full Ride Scholarships; usually, full or partial tuition, and sometimes partial room & board. Every semester our select group of college scholarship students will face college and living expenses such as $100 textbooks, $6000 tuition gaps, housing and meals, transportation, school supplies, and more, they and their families can’t afford. Our Celebration of Achievements fundraising campaign, thanks to donations, allowed us to purchase laptops and provide fall semester Supplemental Scholarship awards. Spring Semester is upon us and them. Our Goal in 2023 is to provide larger awards for scholarship gaps to minimize the ScholarShipWreck effect. State Department, Law, Marine Biology, Opera Singer, Nursing, Medical Research. Except for their professional dreams, the lives of students we support are vastly different from their wealthier peers. All Out for Change®, through donations toward our Supplemental Scholarship fund, helps financially disadvantaged, ambitious, college scholarship recipients with great potential ease their journey toward degrees, professions, and upward mobility for themselves and their families. Video clips below shed light on conundrums interwoven into the pursuit of higher education, and the higher earnings that degree buys at the expense of burdensome debt for scholarship recipients. Get Schooled with Mary Schaffner Founder of DC International Public Charter School (DCI), Celebration of Achievements Honoree
Get Schooled on Campus Food Insecurity with Andy Sonn Faculty Advisor for The Store (GW University student run food
A newly released GAO report criticizes colleges for sending letters that don’t help students pick the school they can afford, leaving them to rack up debt. Michelle Singletary, The Color of Money columnist, The Washington Post, December 7, 2022
Let's keep them on track towards degrees and professions; and through every donation, we chip away at student loan debt.
Your Late Summer Through December Donations Fund Spring Semester Supplemental Scholarship Awards Share our posts to help get the word out. And who are these folks with first hand accounts that we hope convince you to donate and bet on the winners with us? Mary Shaffner, Founder of DC International Public Charter School, Celebration of Achievements Honoree, Awarded the Angelo & Melvena Puglisi award for Excellence in Education. Watch Mary's short talk that schools all of us in: what school’s about in our city and the US; and how that inequitable reality planted the seed for DCI, a rigorous public charter school program that brings a diverse group of students together and puts them on the International Baccalaureate track for success in the race when they get out from the starting gate as college scholarship recipients (92% of grads).
“My Posse scholarship is a full tuition scholarship so there's still a gap of housing and meals not covered unless another generous scholarship can be attained,”Paola states regarding a typical scholarship conondrum. Then Andy follows, "Dining plan and residence hall can be up to $14,000/year.” Donate today, Place your bet on the winners, DCI grads. Let's keep them in the races, in school, on track toward the winner’s circle, degrees and professions; and hopefully through every donation, not slowed down by the weight of student loan debt. And where does your money go, besides invested in their laptops for college? Straight from the horses’s mouth, not mine this time; glance at a snippet of this Supplemental Scholarship Fund recipient’s Fall Semester award expense report: “Transportation" for her (and others) includes spin scooters and Uber. The Amex Gift Card transaction report also shows “meals" from Chipotle, PotBelly, &Pizza while spending the day at school (most aren’t on a meal plan, unless awarded by the school). In addition to meals, another student’s report showed textbooks, school & dorm supplies. State Department Profession, Lawyer, Marine Biologist, Nurse. Except for their professional dreams, the lives of students we support are vastly different from their wealthier peers. All Out for Change®, through donations toward our Supplemental Scholarship fund, helps financially disadvantaged, ambitious, college scholarship recipients with great potential ease their journey toward degrees, professions, and upward mobility for themselves and their families. Supplemental Scholarship Awards are invaluable contributions to student success. Share our Giving Tuesday posts to help get the word out.
And listen to a recent NPR Takeaway about hunger on college campuses "Numerous reports over the years show that food insecurity among college students is as widespread as ever. According to the latest data from The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, in the fall of 2020, nearly three in five students lacked adequate access to “basic needs” like food or housing. And across both two-and-four year colleges, 1 in 3 students experienced food insecurity.” The Takeaway, October 26, 2022 Imagine Living in a Dorm Room, No Meal Plan Most of our 33 students don’t have full ride scholarships, and so don’t have room and board covered, and deal with getting along somehow without. Their spring semester Supplemental Scholarship awards will be funded through Giving Tuesday and our year end campaigns. Student Fall semester expense tracking reports reveal: fast food meals at healthier chains as a way to pick up affordable, nutritious, generous amounts of food with their AMEX gift cards. Additionally, we see charges for: public transportation, ride share, electric scooters to and from school; textbooks; dorm and school supplies. Their Conundrum In His Words I just emailed an award recipient, "Do you have a full scholarship that covers tuition, room and board? Are you on a meal plan?” What a conundrum many students face en route to degrees and careers: "...At the moment, I've been using the AMEX Gift Card for mostly academic books and school supplies. Recently, I have some scholarships for this semester, including "George Mason Honor College Scholarship" and "DC TAG". However, I noticed it doesn't cover the entire student tuition. Yes- I'm currently using a meal plan, however, I'm still paying more than $1,000. It's not a full-cover scholarship. Therefore, I'm wondering if there's more scholarships that I can register for, so I can be all set for next semester? At this point, I'm mostly relying on scholarships and grants, since my family is low income, and therefore I have to find other ways to pay my tuition….” DCI grad 2022, studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at George Mason University Want to Lessen Giving Tuesday appeals in the coming 2 weeks? Feel Free to Donate for Giving Tuesday Now; you'll be removed from the campaign list. Want to donate instead as a Giving Tuesday Match sponsor?
Let’s support him and continue our Celebration of Achievements at UMD "Warm Greetings! I hope you are all well! I wanted to take some time and let you all know that I am going to participate in the University of Maryland's Fall Opera La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini! If you like rom-com, I have a feeling that you'll love the added drama that opera brilliantly adds to this classic story. We go live in just under 2 weeks, so now is the time to get your front-row seat! You can find ticketing information for the opera via this link: La Boheme. Feel free to share this with family, friends, and others that you think might be interested. I'm very much looking forward to showing what I've learned so far in my pursuit of my graduate degree! Warm Regards, Anthony D. Anderson”
To all who donated to our Celebration of Achievements Fundraiser for Supplemental Scholarship Funds, the All Out for Change® team, and student awardees are grateful for your support. Their expense reports show the awards are helping with a variety of essentials, and the laptops are invaluable. Students will be awarded spring semester funds, and fundraising will begin with Giving Tuesday, November 29. If you’d like to pitch in now, feel free. DC International Charter School Give Away Day Thanks to everyone who pitched in! What a Fun day, Friday, July 22 at DCI. Most 2022 award recipients were able to come by and collect their laptops and the first Supplemental Scholarship award to get started with textbook and transportation expenses, and tuition gaps. Our fundraising campaign continues out of necessity, to build available funds going forward for the 33 students we’re committed to supporting on their journey to keep their debt load down. Franklin's & Skylar's Tuition Gap Conundrum
When I spoke with Franklin and Skylar on Friday they told me they'd be applying their awards toward tuition. Their tuition gaps are larger than expected. If you haven’t pitched in yet, but been meaning to, now is a great time to do so to allow us to cover more of their tuition gaps. “ A lot of people think if you give a kid a scholarship, now the kid’s set…they’ve got everything they need. Nothing could be further from the truth.” Chris Metzler, director of student services at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Your business can choose to sponsor at $250+, $1,000+, $2,500+, $5,000+, $10,000+ or Title at $15,000+. Let us know today what level you intend to sponsor and we will send you an invoice. TEXT TO DONATE: Text: Achieve to 801801 Donations of $100+ include 2 optional event tickets.
Volunteers Needed August 18 If you’d like to learn more about volunteering during set-up or during the event, please email our volunteer coordinator, Sierra Davey. We, the All Out for Change® team, look forward to seeing many of you, your guest friends, family and colleagues there. Sponsors and Circle of Friends ($100+) can expect an RSVP email in early August that allows us to follow up with event tickets. Check out more great photos from Jamie Sandel, our event photographer and videographer. Help us meet our goal by sharing this email with your friends, family, colleagues and business associates or by emailing us their contact info. August 18, 2022 Doors open 5pm - Mingling & Snacks · Event begins 6pm Maret School Theatre · Washington, DC An Evening of Music, Inspiration, Awards & Food Honoring Mary Shaffner, Founding Executive Director of District of Columbia International Charter School with The Angelo & Melvena Puglisi Award for Excellence in Education Baritone Anthony D. Anderson’s captivating performance with Michael Crabill celebrates Anthony’s & 2021-22 Supplemental Scholarship awardees’ achievements. Watch Anthony’s appearances on the Today Show, NBC4, WUSA9. CORPORATE SPONSORS Thanks to our Palladium Sponsor, LIDO CIVIC CLUB Platinum Sponsors, as well as others: Infinity Design Solutions LLC, Donohoe Hospitality Services, Jim Cocco, CPA, PLLC, Epic Consolidated Services LLC, Matthews, Carter & Boyce CPA’s & Advisors, FIS Global Foundation, Residence Inn Marriott Dupont Circle, Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center, Inc., Georgetown Auto Service; Copper sponsors and our food & beverage in-kind sponsors, and our circle of friends donating $100 and up.
Supplemental Scholarship Fundraising is in Full Swing, Culminating August 18, the evening of our Celebration of Achievements event “ A lot of people think if you give a kid a scholarship, now the kid’s set…they’ve got everything they need. Nothing could be further from the truth.” Chris Metzler, director of student services at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Donations of $100+ include 2 optional event tickets.
Corporate Sponsorship Your business can choose to sponsor at $250+, $1,000+, $2,500+, $5,000+, $10,000+ or Title at $15,000+. LET US KNOW TODAY WHAT LEVEL YOU INTEND TO SPONSOR and we will send you an invoice. For your logo with a link on our enews, event webpage, and other promotional channels, sponsor at $5,000+, $10,000+ or Title. A $2,500 sponsorship doubles to $5,000 toward the Supplemental Scholarship Fund through July 4; that allows us to purchase approximately 12 dependable, powerful, quality refurbished laptops for college-bound scholarship students whose families can’t afford such an essential.. Supplemental Scholarship Awards are invaluable contributions to DC International Charter School college scholarship recipients’ success. Your contributions help them with application fees and travel to visit schools; with quality laptops, iPads; and funds to cover other expenses, like a flight to Portland to college & back, $150 textbooks, gasoline, Marc train tickets to commute to school in Baltimore, food, school supplies, tuition gaps; all to help them stay in school and avoid racking up student loan debt.
Help us meet our goal by sharing this email with your friends, family, colleagues and business associates or by emailing us their contact info. SOS - Support Our Scholars through sponsorship, event tickets, donations, and by joining the celebration on the evening of Thursday, August 18, 5:00 pm.; view the Program. August 18, 2022 Doors open 5pm - Mingling & Snacks · Event begins 6pm Maret School Theatre · Washington, DC An Evening of Music, Inspiration, Awards & Food Honoring Mary Shaffner, Founding Executive Director of District of Columbia International Charter School with The Angelo & Melvena Puglisi Award for Excellence in Education Baritone Anthony D. Anderson’s captivating performance with Michael Crabill celebrates Anthony’s & 2021-22 Supplemental Scholarship awardees’ achievements. Watch Anthony’s appearances on the Today Show, NBC4, WUSA9. CORPORATE SPONSORS Thanks to our Palladium Sponsor, Platinum Sponsors, as well as our Silver, Bronze and Copper Sponsors; and our food & beverage in-kind sponsors, and our circle of friends donating $100 and up. Supplemental Scholarship Fundraising Has Begun for Our 2022 College Bound Scholarship Recipients4/26/2022
Veterinarian, Biologist/Researcher, Opera Singer, IT Professional are among their goals. The lives of students we support are vastly different from their wealthier peers. All Out for Change®, through donations toward our Supplemental Scholarship fund, helps financially disadvantaged, ambitious, college scholarship recipients with great potential ease their journey toward degrees, professions, and upward mobility for themselves and their families. Supplemental Scholarship Awards are invaluable contributions to student success helping them with application fees and travel to visit schools; with quality laptops, iPads; and funds to cover the cost of college essentials, like transportation to college, $150 textbooks, clothes for interviews; all to help them stay in school and avoid racking up student loan debt. An Evening of Music, Inspiration, Awards & Food Honoring Mary Shaffner, Founding Executive Director of District of Columbia International Charter School with The Angelo & Melvena Puglisi Award for Excellence in Education Baritone Anthony D. Anderson’s captivating performance with Michael Crabill celebrates Anthony’s & 2021-22 Supplemental Scholarship awardees’ achievements. Watch Anthony’s appearances on the Today Show, NBC4, WUSA9. FUNDRAISER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR SUPPLEMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES We’re excited to introduce to you our Supplemental Scholarship Award recipients who will share their inspiring stories and achievements. Sponsorship Opportunities, Tickets, Donations SOS - Support Our Scholars through sponsorship, event tickets, donations, and by joining the celebration on the evening of Thursday, August 18, 5:00 pm. Contribute at a level of your choice starting at $100, and be acknowledged among our Circle of Friends; if you plan to attend you can receive up to 2 event seats. Donations of any size are welcome.
Little did Anthony’s mentor/coach/accompanist know that 8 years later, he would hear the head of the vocal department at Juilliard comment that he sees, “Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavorotti potential”. See and hear what Michael foresaw back then. With 4 All Out for Change® Supplemental Scholarship awards since 2017, Anthony’s achievements and good fortune have multiplied, including a full scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory, a Today Show interview, and news coverage. As he once remarked, “it takes a village!” Several months after Cantate selected Anthony as their inaugural Young Artist of Color, he emailed us, "...I need to share some amazing news ... the Des Moines Metro Opera company offered me a position in their Young Artist Apprenticeship program this summer. Des Moines is a renowned and highly revered company in the opera world and I cannot contest that this is an amazing opportunity..." Cantate Concert Choir this Sunday with special guests The Obertones! Cantate Concert Choir brings a breath of fresh spring air to this concert, with jubilant music to make the heart sing. Johannes Brahms’ glorious Liebeslieder Waltzes (Love-Song Waltzes) anchor this program with additional works by Ola Gjeilo, Elaine Hagenberg, Morten Lauridsen, and Marques L. A. Garrett. The choir will premiere a new commission by the winner of our 13th biennial Young Composers’ Competition, Emily C. Mason. Anthony D. Anderson, Cantate's inaugural Young Artist of Color, and Oberlin College's The Obertoneswill make special guest appearances. Give to Cultivate More Stories of Achievement Donations to our Supplemental Scholarship Fund will continue to support Anthony in grad school, as well as DC International Charter School college scholarship recipients whose families have limited financial resources for college related essentials.
When I learned she applied her $600 Supplemental Scholarship award toward tuition, I realized she’s a partial scholarship recipient, who like many could be denied a semester’s registration if the balance isn’t paid. And she may struggle with making ends meetdue to additional college costs on top of day to day and college related expenses. So I asked about her college scholarship: "I am a scholarship student but it is only partial. Having the option to benefit from ongoing support via your supplemental scholarship awards would be a huge help for myself and my parents. My parents are currently working on figuring out how to afford sending my sister to college in the Fall for her freshman year. So, helping pay a part of my remaining tuition would be much appreciated.” She’ll be hearing from me with a follow up conversation to better understand how we can help. Luz’s Recent Financial Dilemma Luz emailed mid-January with a Subject, "Additional Support for College”: “... I’m Luz, one of the students you helped get a free laptop for college. I just wanted to thank you and All Out for Change again; it has been such a great help and a load off my shoulders. This semester, I might have an opportunity to be a notetaker for one of my classes so I’m planning on looking for an iPad Pro to make that easier. Does All Out for Change or any other organization you know offer iPads?... it will be useful for annotating my typed-up notes, and especially for drawing molecular structures in chemistry and diagrams in physics.” Knowing what a difference the awarded iPad made for Anthony since fall 2020, I told her we’d take care of the iPad Pro and Apple pencil. She returned to Northeastern University in Boston, where she’s a scholarship student majoring in Biology, with an essential tool for her pursuit of a profession in research. From campus, she wrote, "The iPad is great and will be such a great help. I appreciate it and the work you do!" I Reach Out Assuring Them We’re Here for Them We understand there are so many college-related and day to day expenses that partial and full academic scholarships don’t cover. In our awareness of that challenge we’re here to take some of the load off students’ and families’ shoulders knowing what a difference it can make: keep them in school; allow them to achieve their well-deserved potential and goals; and reduce their and their families’ debt. Read This Recent Article in The Washington Post - "When a small expense threatens a college education" It sheds light on student conundrums that so few people understand exist. A degree, career and upward mobility is truly a perilous journey these days. “A lot of people think if you give a kid a scholarship, now the kid’s set, they’ve got everything they need,” said Chris Metzler, director of student services at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Pennsylvania. “Nothing could be further from the truth.” "To a middle-income kid from a neighborhood with two cars in every garage, it may be incomprehensible that something costing less than a few burritos at Chipotle could derail a person’s college education. But for many young people across the country — growing up in homes where there’s little left after paying rent and utilities — the challenge is painfully familiar." You can find more enlightening reads on our eye-opening stories page. Donations of any size, all together help us fulfill our mission.
YOUR DONATION IN ITS ENTIRETY IS INVESTED IN OUR STUDENT SCHOLARS |
MaryAnn PuglisiChief Engagement Officer, AllOutForChange.org Categories |