|
Dear Reader,
I hope this email finds you well! As we approach the back-to-school season, we are excited to restart our programs this fall. We’re particularly thrilled to expand our Civics & Citizenship Junior middle school program to Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling, VA, and to Loiederman and Odessa Shannon Middle Schools in Silver Spring, MD.
This summer, our Opportunities Plus program has provided high school students with invaluable professional experiences, setting them on a path to future success. Through internships at a diverse range of organizations—including Art Works Now, the University of Maryland SAFE Center, Montgomery Parks, Shepherd's Table, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, and Career Catchers—students have gained hands-on skills and insights that will benefit their professional aspirations.
Our new DC Community Service Program has also allowed students to give back while earning required service hours, all while exploring different fields. Additionally, many of our students have been actively engaged in their communities, working on scholarship applications, and preparing to enroll in college for the fall.
In the office, our team has been busy preparing for our annual event - our Almost 20th Anniversary Fundraiser will be an exciting celebration of our youth and their accomplishments, and will feature a silent auction, creative projects, and catered cuisine. The event will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington, DC.
Take a look at the updates below to see all that our students have accomplished this summer!
Warm regards,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our students have been deeply engaged in civic and community-oriented projects this summer. Jesselyn, a 2024 graduate of Alexandria City High School, has been working with Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins, who is a candidate for the Mayor of Alexandria this fall. Jesselyn is conducting an independent project where she is researching City Council Committees and preparing a year-in-review report on the accomplishments and initiatives of Councilwoman Gaskins, gaining valuable insight into local governance and civic responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Marie, a student from our Northwood High School program, is interning at the Gilchrist Immigration Resource Center this summer. As an immigrant from the Ivory Coast, Marie has been adjusting to life in the U.S. and has honed essential technological skills at the Gilchrist Center, such as data entry. She has also gained confidence in her English through client interactions. Although she aspires to study neuroscience, her work at the Gilchrist Center has provided her with a unique perspective on public health initiatives and equitable resource distribution, as she has been working closely with local immigration attorneys and health department representatives.
|
This summer, we launched our first-ever summer community service program in DC, providing local youth with the opportunity to make a difference while working towards earning the 100 service hours required for graduation.
Our first host site was VIDA Senior Center, where students assisted elderly residents with a variety of daily activities. From helping with English classes and Bingo games to preparing and serving lunch and providing administrative support, our youth fully immersed themselves in the experience. They enjoyed building relationships with the seniors and contributing to the vibrant community at VIDA.
Yesterday, the first cohort of our D.C. Summer Program celebrated all their hard work and the many volunteer hours they completed with a ceremony at VIDA Senior Centers. The team at the senior center put together an amazing celebration for our participants, complete with music, empanadas, and certificates! During remarks, everyone mentioned what an amazing job the group had done and how happy they were to have been able to work with our youth.
|
Our program officers have been diligently assisting students with college applications, scholarships, and enrollment this summer. We’re excited to share that 18 Liberty's Promise participants have been nominated for POSSE Scholarships, which, if awarded, provide full-tuition to partner colleges for recipients. Jhoselin, a student from Northwood High School, was awarded $6,000 from the New Futures Scholars Program, which will help her attend Montgomery College this fall.
In addition to supporting current students, we also work with alumni to provide ongoing assistance. For example, our program officer, Ingrid, recently reconnected with Gaithersburg alum Edwin, helping him enroll in Montgomery College courses, complete his financial aid requirements, and apply for scholarships. Edwin, an amazing student with a passion for drawing and design, is on his way to pursuing his dream of studying architecture.
|
This summer, our students have been exploring and pursuing their career aspirations. Kareem, a high school intern at the Hyattsville Branch Library through our Opportunities Plus program, shared that learning about the behind-the-scenes functions of libraries and community centers has sparked a deep interest in pursuing a career in library sciences. He hopes to continue working in libraries throughout college and stay connected with his local library in Hyattsville, possibly volunteering in the future. Kareem has enjoyed lending a helping hand to the staff, learning about the various roles and responsibilities in an office setting, and discovering how to best advocate for himself and his peers.
Elsewhere in Maryland, program officer Ingrid relaunched our Entre Chicas program, providing a space for our girls to meet with women professionals (typically over coffee) and learn about diverse careers and education opportunities. We hosted Andrea Colina, a 2017 alumna from our Silver Spring Community program and electrical engineer, who shared her journey with our John F. Kennedy girls, many of whom aspire to careers in STEM. Two nursing students from the University of Maryland, who are also teen moms from Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, joined us to discuss their unconventional paths to higher education and medicine. They encouraged our John F. Kennedy girls to pursue their dreams in psychology, criminology, teaching, and nursing. Each Entre Chicas session has been incredibly fulfilling, offering our girls a supportive space to explore their futures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month's Alumni Spotlight shines bright on Osvaldo, an alumni from our program at Northwood High School.
Osvaldo moved to the United States from El Salvador in 2017, and graduated in 2022 from Northwood High School. After high school, he enrolled in Montgomery College, where he is currently studying Mechanical Engineering and is on track to graduate in 2024.
Click below to hear his story!
|
|
|
|
Maryland
Virginia
Washington, DC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Questions?
Contact us at info@libertyspromise.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
