Donor Update – May, 2022
Thank you for your generous supporter of Farther Foundation and the students we serve. Covid is still on our minds, but students, families, program partners, and education travel providers are cautiously preparing to get back out into the world. We will introduce you to our 2022 cohort of intrepid scholarship recipients below, but first let me share a few other items of interest.
Save the date: Our signature annual fundraiser, StorySlam, will be back as an in-person event on Thursday, October 13! We will have some great featured storytellers to announce soon. A couple of our program alumni will also have prominent roles – one as a storyteller and another as our emcee for the evening.
What’s up? Thanks to your generosity, in 2022, we approved more scholarship dollars than we ever have before. Our scholarship budget in any given year is based on fundraising during the previous year. In 2021, total giving was up. New donors were up. Donor retention was up. Donors in the $200 - $999 range were up 10%. Donors who gave $1,000 or more were up 50%.
Did you know? The most recent research indicates that in Chicago Public Schools, 83% of students now graduate high school, and 75% aspire to earn at least an associate’s degree; that’s a ‘good news’ story. A lesser percentage, 58% actually immediately enrolled in college after graduation, that’s an ‘ok news’ story. In the end, only about 50% of those students go on to earn a bachelor’s degree with an additional 5% earning an associate’s; that’s a ‘disappointing news’ story – a story of lost potential for the student and for society.
Our impact: Farther Foundation program alumni graduate high school at a rate of 100%, enroll in college at a rate of 98% (almost all in 4-year colleges), and graduate or remain on track to graduate from college at a rate of 92%. It is hard to find any cohort of students of any demographic mix that succeeds at a similar rate. That is an ‘outstanding news’ story!
Farther Foundation scholarship recipients for 2022
Intrepid is a descriptor often used facetiously, but this year, our 28 scholarship recipients are truly an adventurous group. Though, understandable, a higher percentage than usual this year have elected to participate in domestic college campus programs rather than traveling abroad, they will still be challenging themselves to learn, serve and grow in new spaces and among diverse students. Here is a little of what each told us in their applications:
Adamaris
I remember being in second grade and having spelling homework. For one assignment we needed an adult to tell us the word so that we could write it down. I remember my mom trying to say the words in English, we would struggle, but she did her best so that I could get good grades on my tests. One of my main goals is to graduate high school and college because I am first generation. I want my mom to be proud of all my work, I want her to see that struggling on the spelling homework was all worth it.
Aleighah
This opportunity would teach me so much about what to expect from college professors. I am excited to receive college credit and prepare myself for what is yet to come. This year, I have been pretty good with managing my time. I understand that college work is way different than high school work. Strengthening my skills through the program will help me prepare for my future.
Alissa
I am really invested in creating things. Being able to create things with my bare hands and imagination is calming and exciting to me. I have always been intrigued by putting things together and designing things.
Amal
I am excited to explore and learn about the different animals that exist in the water. I want to be a marine biologist and I feel that this trip will solidify my understanding of what marine biologists do and the types of projects they work on. I have also always wanted to try scuba diving. The first time I saw people scuba dive I was five and taking swim lessons at the YMCA in my neighborhood. There was a scuba diving class going on at the deep end of the pool, and ever since then I’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive.
Aniah
My identity as a black woman I think is huge always, it’s what people see when I walk through the world, it’s what I have to put on sheets, and sometimes those factors might strip me from opportunities, that's why I put myself out there, why I’m trying to do new things because I want to be successful, I want to prove to the world that black women can do anything and everything. So many people doubt my gender, so many people doubt my race it’s hard to get by in the world being both because people just look at those factors and less of who you truly are as a person.
Armon
From a very young age, I was always interested in arts and crafts. I have built up a set of skills that I would like to incorporate into my path of being a director.
Ashley
Being a first-generation American has been a part of my character that is always at the forefront of my mind. While many of my peers have the luxury of getting support for school matters from their parents through tutoring and college visits, I have always felt somewhat alone in the school system. Growing up, there was always this voice in my head reciting my life goals: get perfect grades, go to the best college possible, start a successful career then buy my mom a house; but as I get older, I realized it is a lot more work than I previously thought. My mom works two jobs, cooks us meals daily, and still makes sure I have pocket money even when it’s not necessary, but she doesn’t know how to help me with things such as SAT prep and that is not her fault.
Carmen
It has always been my aspiration to make my parents proud in everything that I do. My parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico, in hopes of a better future for their children. They have always emphasized the importance of being educated, respectful, humble, and disciplined. I am eternally grateful for all that they do for me, which is why I am so diligent with my studies.
Fernanda
I am a Latina woman and for me that means my roots, unity, family, my past, present, and future. I have been learning to embrace it because it is culture, and it is the one thing no one can take away from me. I want to pursue my career in a STEM field because that is where I see people who look like me are often underrepresented. I want to help make the medical field more diverse and at the same time it will encourage me to take risks.
Grace
One feature that most excites me about the Medicine Intensive course at Johns Hopkins University is having the independence that goes along with it. I will have the responsibility to participate in and practice the techniques the program offers. Throughout the process, I will have the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions that will help me with my communication skills and the ability to break communication barriers.
Hannah
Growing up I faced multiple challenges. At the age of 3, I had to abruptly move to a different country and quickly adapt to a new environment. I lost my mom temporarily and would not see her until I was 6. It was very painful to leave my grandmother back in Mexico. She had been my everything during my parents’ absence and I really got to love her very much. As if that was not enough, I was old enough to understand my dad was not coming back. From my father’s abandonment, I learned how important it is to learn to forgive and let go. I’ve learned that no matter how bad of an experience we may have, it is up to us to play victim or be victorious. We can swim in the mud and feel sorry for ourselves or stand up with courage and optimism and continue to fight for our dreams. Forgive, forget, move on and try our best to be happy. Life is what we make of it and I’m making the best out of mine.
Ian
I am going to be around big real wolves and be able to treat them and feed them. The experience of being able to take care of wolves, not just normal dogs, but actual wolves sounds very exciting and an experience not typical for an average person. This is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Jose
Carleton has a strong STEM program. I hope that this program will allow me to get a head start in life. I need professors to push me and mold me; while I have this in high school, I want more guidance and mentorship. After all, a diamond isn't made without pressure. I want to be in situations that are different from my current ones and that put pressure on me.
Josue
I have an interest of LEGOs and that made me want to major in the Engineering field. I would always think what it must take to design something like a LEGO car or a house etc. I would later start to think these questions on actual cars, planes, and houses and would start to think if I could do something similar or even design something completely new that can make life better for many.
Karen
In fifth grade a vein in my brain ruptured because of a malformation I was born with. This caused me to have multiple surgeries and therapy. While receiving care I noticed that there were not many Latino nurses and no doctors that spoke Spanish. This is what really motivates me to want to do this program. I will be the leader I needed when I was in the hospital and make change for the better.
Karla
I am Latina, the eldest daughter in my family, and a first generation, low-income student that plans to go to college and into the medical field. That being said, my identity shapes a lot of what I do and how I do it. I have always felt more responsibility since I will be the first in my family to go to college and get a career while setting the example for my two younger siblings.
Kate
I love listening to music. I love the joy that comes from discovering a new artist. I love finding people that listen to the same music as me or who recommend artists and songs to me. I have been playing the violin since I was 6 years old. As much as my parents would be delighted if I said playing the violin began my love for music, it did not. Still, it has brought me closer to my love of music. I will admit that I am not very good, but I have learned so much that even though my progress has been slow, I refuse to quit.
Kehmar
Something really meaningful to me is my skills and talent for 3D modeling. I started modeling during my freshman year with my cousin and I’ve never stopped since. We started with playing Roblox, a gaming platform which gives you the opportunity to make games and play them using lua coding. We developed a game based on the anime “Magi” and it was successful. We had at least 40 people playing our game a day which was a decent number on Roblox at that time. My experience with 3D modeling is what motivates me to pursue a business and 3D modeling career. I look forward to continuing to develop my 3D modeling skills when I enter college.
Lesly
In eighth grade I was struggling in math. I did not understand the material, and I would constantly get bad grades on the tests. I would come home frustrated and try to get help, but it didn’t work. I decided to get help from my other math teacher, and my grades went up. From this experience, I learned that sometimes it’s better to get help from someone else than struggle on your own. I am timid and don’t like to ask for help, but that experience showed me the importance of speaking up for myself.
Luis
One of the most exciting parts of this experience is the fact that I will be traveling alone, via airplane. I have never been on a plane, and this new experience both makes me nervous, but most excites me. Also, I love the fact that I will be on a college campus, living in a dorm, meeting new people and experiencing new things. I have never been on a college campus, so getting this experience will truly make me feel closer to my long-term goal of being a first generation college student and graduate.
Malaysia
I am a mentor for my young brother who I no longer live with. I lived with him for so long that now I try to do the best I can to have him look up to me. I see him every two weeks now and I feel like that is not enough. I foresee that when I get back from my trip that I will share the stories about it with him and he will be motivated to also follow in my footsteps.
Mayra
My parents carry with them the concern of their daughter going away even for a night, making my experience away from home very limited. This out-of-state experience is a big and necessary step for me, as it will allow me to be able to decipher whether or not being away from home for the majority of my four years of college will be something that I would be comfortable with.
Ndeye
I am most excited to shadow health and medical professionals during the program. I expect to gain a greater appreciation of what I have been afforded as an American. I feel it is essential to go beyond donations and watching videos from the comfort of my home; discomfort inspires understanding and grace towards others. I believe true empathy and understanding comes from face-to-face impact.
Ramiro
Recently, my dad was in a car accident and consequently lost his job. This was really upsetting for my family and me because we then struggled financially. We lost his income, lost the car, and also had extra medical expenses. However, this resulted in our family being a stronger unit because we grew closer as we emerged from this struggle.
Sid
I’m a 17 year old non-binary Mexican-American citizen, and will be the first generation in my family to attend college. Due to my immense pride in my culture, I set myself to a high standard. Chicanos grow up with the belief of hard work and how it will reward us in the long run. I hold this ideal near and dear to my heart. I would describe myself is an eager individual with the drive to learn, the capability to overcome adversity, and the willingness to understand an array of perspectives.
Stacey
I have a hard time with reading and writing but I love mathematics. Puzzles can be conquered, manipulated, and solved in many ways. I am interested in the STEM curriculum - Technologies. Engineering, and Mathematics. I think this is a good field to keep me challenged. I can get bored quickly and want to be challenged at all times. I want to know more about computer engineering and if this is the career for me.
Stanlay
A meaningful thing that I can't live without in my life is my interest in photography. I value living in the moment, and capturing the moment in a beautiful way allows you to look back on the photo whenever you want. When I look back at the pictures I think about the memory behind them, and whether it is a pleasant memory or not, I can see how I've grown since then. Being able to see your growth through something you enjoy doing feels rewarding.
Yaretzi
I expect to grow from this experience by exploring new interests and informing my future career goals. So far, my education has been centered around computer science, but I wish to explore new horizons to gain new perspectives and skills. This summer, I want to investigate the intersection of science and humanities. The technical aspects of science and the enlightening aspect of humanities fascinate me. By exploring multiple career areas, I will be prepared to navigate college and its innumerable opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and your belief in the work and mission of Farther Foundation.
You can donate via credit, debit or PayPal at www.fartherfoundation.org, via Venmo at “Farther Foundation”, or via mobile banking apps to info@fartherfoundation.org.