Inspiring Success Stories
There wouldn't be any of these inspiring stories without the eye-opening conundrum stories that All Out For Change® seeks to solve.
Learn how we helped an aspiring young opera singer soar . . . with your help we can do more!
Anthony, recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant:
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.
Anthony, recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant:
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.
Followup Fall 2020 with Anthony:
We reached out to Anthony recently to find out how he’s been doing at Oberlin and if he needed additional support. And, yes: in order to perform better in school he needed an iPad.
With the iPad he produced his solo opera fall 2020 semester project and posted it on YouTube: A House Is Not A Home.
Several generous supporters contributed toward the Supplemental Scholarship Award to cover the iPad. It’s hard to conceive of how much a tool like that means for him today, and his future. Mitch, our Mac wizard, says, “it’s like giving an instrument to a musician”; and he added it enables Anthony to further develop technical skills that will be of great value for a talented vocalist.
Anthony reported, “The iPad was my main tool in filming this project and learning how to use the iMovie software. It stood its own in holding space for all the video material whilst making sure that the videos were of magnificent quality! … I'm so glad that I was able to begin learning these skills and incorporating them into my work during such a time of uncertainty.”
We reached out to Anthony recently to find out how he’s been doing at Oberlin and if he needed additional support. And, yes: in order to perform better in school he needed an iPad.
With the iPad he produced his solo opera fall 2020 semester project and posted it on YouTube: A House Is Not A Home.
Several generous supporters contributed toward the Supplemental Scholarship Award to cover the iPad. It’s hard to conceive of how much a tool like that means for him today, and his future. Mitch, our Mac wizard, says, “it’s like giving an instrument to a musician”; and he added it enables Anthony to further develop technical skills that will be of great value for a talented vocalist.
Anthony reported, “The iPad was my main tool in filming this project and learning how to use the iMovie software. It stood its own in holding space for all the video material whilst making sure that the videos were of magnificent quality! … I'm so glad that I was able to begin learning these skills and incorporating them into my work during such a time of uncertainty.”
Listen to his September 2020 recording of 'Deep River', accompanied by pianist, Thomas Bandy.
Dimetreus (“Meechy”) graduates from Norfolk State University Spring 2020!
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Dimetreus (“Meechy”), Dean's List certificate in hand, graduates from Norfolk State University Spring 2020. What an admirable achievement given he overcame periodic homelessness, and grew up in a household with substance abuse and extreme poverty. One dream accomplished, and another coming up, as he chooses between graduate school or one of multiple job offers. Meechy’s accomplishments in the face of extreme adversity illustrate how fortunate he is to be among the participants in a college prep program we support, and how effective outstanding youth development programs can be in facilitating success regardless of adversity. We wish similar successes for Meechy's peers and we’re doing our part through our supporters. And it's good to know the iMacs and MacBooks we’ve provided during campus shutdowns give ambitious program participants the tools to continue on their paths toward high school and college degrees.
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Learn How Our Supporters Have Made a Difference
2020 Highlights: 2019 College Access Fund & Emergency Fund Donations Made a Difference for 2020 High School Grads
We celebrate their accomplishments and wish all of these students great success! To learn more about 2020 gift card, college access and emergency fund, and computer impact read our short 2020 blog entries.
- Many students are now fortunate scholarship recipients and starting their studies at colleges and universities throughout the country. College Access Funds were used for: Supplemental Scholarship awards; college prep workshops; tutoring, college and scholarship research assistance and counseling; professional development workshops; college tours, fairs and visits, and application fees.
- From the end of March - December 31, 2020, 48 high school and college students faced with campus shutdowns received computers enabling them to complete high school and pursue college degrees. Many of these students were receiving free and reduced price lunches and come from families with very limited financial resources….these computers are life-changing savers!
- COVID Emergency Fund Donations helped American Indian College Scholars complete the school year with funds for food, housing, internet access and computers.
We celebrate their accomplishments and wish all of these students great success! To learn more about 2020 gift card, college access and emergency fund, and computer impact read our short 2020 blog entries.
2019 Aspiration Statements & 2020 Accomplishments
Many families don’t have the resources, not only for college and college prep, but also for the basics their sons and daughters will need to pursue their dreams. The fortunate participants in programs that provide college prep and counseling assistance, and professional development programming have the opportunity to envision and prepare for college and professional careers. Your contributions help students fulfill dreams, give economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence:
Jamal
"During my senior year, I realized I will be able to pursue a degree at the prestigious Morehouse College where I intend to become President of the student body one day. All the trials and tribulations that I have faced all helped lead to enhanced leadership skills, more involvement in my community, and the need to not only excel inside the classroom but outside.
Followup 2020:
Jamal is attending Morehouse College.
Through all the difficulties, I continue to smile every single day because one can not live a positive life with a negative mindset. One day I hope to inspire those from my community who just like me did not have opportunities, to show them the same water that hardens the egg softens the potato. Your environment does not suggest who you are, only you can."
Janiya
“I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and when I graduate I plan on majoring in Psychology at a university that allows me to intern. My number one school is Winston Salem University in North Carolina. After college I hope to become an intern in a program that allows insight into child development and child therapy. I want to go to college to further my education so that I will be career ready. I am most excited about learning the basics and deeper meaning behind developmental and child psychology. I am a woman of my words and determination that is able to achieve my big goals.”
Followup 2020:
Janiya is heading to Barry University and majoring in Child Development Psychology after taking independent advocacy training for survivors of sexual abuse and stalking.
D’Anthony
“My goal after college is to be working for a major sports broadcasting company like ESPN or Sports Center. I want to be a sports journalist and have the opportunity to write for one of the companies.”
Followup 2020:
D’Anthony is entering Florida A & M fall 2020 and he is excited about hosting workshops in his community after college to help teach kids how to improve their writing skills.
Traneece
“My goal after high school is to go to college and study biochemistry to become a clinical pathologist and have the opportunity to study diseases in the human body.”
Followup 2020:
Traneece, is entering Old Dominion University with her goal of becoming a clinical pathologist in mind.
Delonte
"If I don’t make it in football, during my college years I want to study statistics or be involved in physical therapy. In school, my favorite subject is math, but chemistry is very interesting to me because you learn so much about the science world and important things in your life. In those two subjects I have gotten good scores and grades throughout middle school and high school. Those two subjects are also involved throughout the world, so being proficient in those subjects will help me in other positive ways."
Jamal
"During my senior year, I realized I will be able to pursue a degree at the prestigious Morehouse College where I intend to become President of the student body one day. All the trials and tribulations that I have faced all helped lead to enhanced leadership skills, more involvement in my community, and the need to not only excel inside the classroom but outside.
Followup 2020:
Jamal is attending Morehouse College.
Through all the difficulties, I continue to smile every single day because one can not live a positive life with a negative mindset. One day I hope to inspire those from my community who just like me did not have opportunities, to show them the same water that hardens the egg softens the potato. Your environment does not suggest who you are, only you can."
Janiya
“I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and when I graduate I plan on majoring in Psychology at a university that allows me to intern. My number one school is Winston Salem University in North Carolina. After college I hope to become an intern in a program that allows insight into child development and child therapy. I want to go to college to further my education so that I will be career ready. I am most excited about learning the basics and deeper meaning behind developmental and child psychology. I am a woman of my words and determination that is able to achieve my big goals.”
Followup 2020:
Janiya is heading to Barry University and majoring in Child Development Psychology after taking independent advocacy training for survivors of sexual abuse and stalking.
D’Anthony
“My goal after college is to be working for a major sports broadcasting company like ESPN or Sports Center. I want to be a sports journalist and have the opportunity to write for one of the companies.”
Followup 2020:
D’Anthony is entering Florida A & M fall 2020 and he is excited about hosting workshops in his community after college to help teach kids how to improve their writing skills.
Traneece
“My goal after high school is to go to college and study biochemistry to become a clinical pathologist and have the opportunity to study diseases in the human body.”
Followup 2020:
Traneece, is entering Old Dominion University with her goal of becoming a clinical pathologist in mind.
Delonte
"If I don’t make it in football, during my college years I want to study statistics or be involved in physical therapy. In school, my favorite subject is math, but chemistry is very interesting to me because you learn so much about the science world and important things in your life. In those two subjects I have gotten good scores and grades throughout middle school and high school. Those two subjects are also involved throughout the world, so being proficient in those subjects will help me in other positive ways."
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 to their program director for assistance with some unaffordable essentials such as laptops, books, tuition, and school-related transportation costs. Below are the fortunate recipients of All Out for Change® College Access Supplemental 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.
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. Through the support of others, conundrum stories like this can be resourcefully and creatively resolved.
And the 8 MacBooks?
The donated MacBooks have changed things significantly for 11th and 12th grade students. Many thanks to our Mac guy 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 andopportunities online, versus just sitting and listening. I’m deeply grateful to all who pitched in.
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 grade participants in year-round outdoor recreational programs that also include leadership development, team building, and environmental education.
Used and unused gift cards that were sent us (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) are going into an 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 pitch in.
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.
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. Through the support of others, conundrum stories like this can be resourcefully and creatively resolved.
And the 8 MacBooks?
The donated MacBooks have changed things significantly for 11th and 12th grade students. Many thanks to our Mac guy 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 andopportunities online, versus just sitting and listening. I’m deeply grateful to all who pitched in.
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 grade participants in year-round outdoor recreational programs that also include leadership development, team building, and environmental education.
Used and unused gift cards that were sent us (an assortment that included Walgreens, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, American Express) are going into an 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 pitch in.
Read about some eye-opening student conundrums that All Out for Change® supporters help to solve.
