Scholarship Season Update - 2024
Thank you to all of our steadfast and generous supporters. We will introduce you to our 2024 cohort of scholarship recipients below, but first let me share some items of interest.
Save the date:
Our signature annual fundraiser, StorySlam, returns Thursday, October 10! Some wonderful storytellers have already been confirmed, and we are assembling an array of exciting items for our auction. See details on our event page: https://www.fartherscholar.org/events
Hanan and her sisters: The ripple effect
Hanan was awarded her scholarship in 2013. She has since graduated from Swarthmore college and is now coordinating projects at some of the county’s largest tech firms.
At 16 years old, I found myself trekking under the sweltering Mediterranean heat to witness Petra, Jordan's remarkable Ancient City. From learning a new language to the joys of using it independently (whether to hail a taxi or buy coffee solo!), there’s nothing quite like immersing oneself in an experience far from home at a young age, a journey that imparts courage, independence, and creativity.
11 years later, these experiences still resonate in my life and in the lives of those around me. At such a young age, I discovered the importance of putting myself out there, seeking help, tapping into resources like Farther Foundation, and fearlessly pursuing interests, even when they felt beyond reach for a low-income, first-generation student.
Now, I’m proud to share that one of my younger sisters had the opportunity to pursue a summer abroad experience in Spain last summer through Farther Foundation. Her journey inspired her twin to pursue a program in France this summer, which she will also be able to attend because of Farther Foundation’s support. My parents, once apprehensive about sending me abroad all those years ago, have since become trailblazers in our Chicago community and beyond. Thanks to their advocacy, many of my cousins and close family friends have been motivated to explore enriching summer programs, traversing Europe, North Africa, and engaging in programs across the US. When financial barriers to educational programs are overcome, an entire world of opportunity unfolds—not just for the student, but for their families as well. To the donors and supporters of Farther Foundation, thank you for believing in the transformative power of giving.
Farther Foundation scholarship recipients for 2024
Farther Foundation is awarding more than $213,000 in scholarships in 2024 enabling students to participate in life-changing educational summer programs – programs that take them away from the familiarity of home and family, challenge them to experience the broader world, and inspire them to expect more from themselves. Let us introduce you to two of the 48 students taking a bold step beyond the familiar this summer.
Experiencing the world
Our students will venture around the world this summer to Bali, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Greece, Thailand, Portugal, Argentina, England, France, Japan, and Australia.
While there, they will participate in programs that immerse them in new cultures, allow them to practice language skills, live with host families, provide service to impoverished communities, and explore interests such as veterinary and environmental science, drama, and international relations.
Edgar is a standout Chicago high school student from a hard-working immigrant family. He has already expressed an interest in Japanese language and culture by taking a dual enrollment course in Japanese at a local community college. In his scholarship application Edgar told us,
“My curiosity about Japanese language and culture is another important aspect of my identity. Participating in the CIEE program in Kyoto, Japan, aligns perfectly with my aspirations. It offers a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of Japanese language and culture, while also fostering connections with my brother, Emiliano (who is stationed in Japan), and the host family I will interact with. As an aspiring quantum physicist and astrophysicist, I recognize the importance of international collaboration and the invaluable insights gained from immersing oneself in different cultures.”
Experiencing campus life
Other students made the, perhaps surprising, choice to spend part of their summer in school. They will be learning what it is like to be away from home on a college campus taking challenging courses with students from across the country and around the world. Our students will attend programs at Harvard, Yale, Brown, Carleton, Georgetown, and Carnegie Mellon among other institutions.
Kayjah describes herself as a first-generation Caribbean-American who has learned from her family that she should work hard to take advantage of all her educational opportunities in this country. She will be spending her summer on the campus of Yale University.
“The feature of Yale Young Global Scholars that I am most excited about is the international aspect. YYGS is a program open to high school students around the world, and each course within the program is catered to different fields. A big part of why I chose this program is the international aspect, and the fact that I will be able to interact with people from countries across the world. This program emphasizes collaboration and fosters interactions between students to guide them on a path to impact the world. Something that I love about the STEM field is that it is universal and the things that interest me are in existence all over the world.”
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 88%. It is hard to find any cohort of students of any demographic mix that succeeds at a similar rate!
Thank you for your continued support of our students and your belief in the work and mission of Farther Foundation.
Farther Foundation is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization. You can support more students like the ones you met above via credit, debit or PayPal here, or via mobile banking apps (Zelle) to info@fartherfoundation.org.