An Inspiring Success Story
Learn how we helped an aspiring young opera singer soar . . . with your help we can do more!
Get the picture: Our first grant recipient’s inspiring story and Today Show segment illustrate how potential is mined when embraced by a nonprofit program and strangers who “get the picture”, care, and contribute funds to achieve aspirations."I’m blessed," Anthony remarked, when we first met. And that, he is: with talent for opera, his voice; acceptance into an extraordinary nonprofit program (that we support) from 6th through 12th grades and into a public magnet school for the arts where his gift was nurtured. The only crucial thing missing? The Money… to pay off first-term college debt and release his transcripts to apply to, audition at and visit universities and music conservatories… in hopes of receiving a generous scholarship.
He’s very lucky his situation was published in the newspaper. Watch the Today Show segment about his struggles he faced in pursuit of his dream and how his luck turns things around.
Get the picture: Our first grant recipient’s inspiring story and Today Show segment illustrate how potential is mined when embraced by a nonprofit program and strangers who “get the picture”, care, and contribute funds to achieve aspirations."I’m blessed," Anthony remarked, when we first met. And that, he is: with talent for opera, his voice; acceptance into an extraordinary nonprofit program (that we support) from 6th through 12th grades and into a public magnet school for the arts where his gift was nurtured. The only crucial thing missing? The Money… to pay off first-term college debt and release his transcripts to apply to, audition at and visit universities and music conservatories… in hopes of receiving a generous scholarship.
He’s very lucky his situation was published in the newspaper. Watch the Today Show segment about his struggles he faced in pursuit of his dream and how his luck turns things around.
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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!” He now mentors and inspires other high schoolers and grads in pursuit of their dreams.
Learn How Our Supporters Have Made a Difference
2018 College Access Fund Donations Made a Difference for 2019 High School Grads
We help out in these small, but big ways; 12th graders submit applications for assistance with some unaffordable essentials. Fall 2018 College Access Fund donations increased the senior Scholarship Fund from $1000 to $2500 for summer 2019 application-based scholarship needs, such as laptops, books, tuition, and school-related transportation costs. 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 supplemental Summer 2019 Scholarship Fund donations filled an urgent late summer tuition scholarship gap for a grad’s first semester toward fulfilling his dream to be an orthopedic surgeon. “Thanks a million,” he said, so grateful for the assistance to fill the gap in the scholarship funds he already received. The costs of preparing for and acquiring a college degree are now sky high when it’s no longer the high school diploma alone that’s the ticket to upward mobility.
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.
Additionally, Fall 2018 College Access Fund donations allowed 2018/2019 12th graders to:
· attend college fairs, college prep workshops and professional workshops;
· visit colleges with food and transportation costs covered.
Winter 2018/2019 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.
Used and unused gift cards that we received (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) went 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.
I’m deeply grateful to all who pitched in.
We help out in these small, but big ways; 12th graders submit applications for assistance with some unaffordable essentials. Fall 2018 College Access Fund donations increased the senior Scholarship Fund from $1000 to $2500 for summer 2019 application-based scholarship needs, such as laptops, books, tuition, and school-related transportation costs. 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 supplemental Summer 2019 Scholarship Fund donations filled an urgent late summer tuition scholarship gap for a grad’s first semester toward fulfilling his dream to be an orthopedic surgeon. “Thanks a million,” he said, so grateful for the assistance to fill the gap in the scholarship funds he already received. The costs of preparing for and acquiring a college degree are now sky high when it’s no longer the high school diploma alone that’s the ticket to upward mobility.
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.
Additionally, Fall 2018 College Access Fund donations allowed 2018/2019 12th graders to:
· attend college fairs, college prep workshops and professional workshops;
· visit colleges with food and transportation costs covered.
Winter 2018/2019 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.
Used and unused gift cards that we received (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) went 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.
I’m deeply grateful to all who pitched in.
and we gift a pair of needed winter hiking socks to a student in a youth development outdoor program.
