Go Farther alumni award
Farther Foundation scholarship recipients are a dynamic group of individuals, daring to take a bold step beyond the familiar and becoming positive examples in their communities. Many of them have become involved in charitable efforts to bolster the communities where they traveled or where they live, work, or go to school.
The Go Farther Alumni Award is a grant awarded by Farther Foundation in the name of one of our students to a charitable project or organization of the alumnus’ choosing.
Farther Foundation is proud to support our alumni’s efforts to pay back or pay forward some of the generosity they have received.
Award Winners
2024
Farther Foundation honored two of our alumni with Go Farther Alumni Grants in 2024.
Antonio Chambers was part of our 2020 cohort that unfortunately was prevented from participating in their summer travel programs due to the COVID epidemic. Antonio was given the opportunity to use his scholarship toward future college tuition - which he has done at Morehouse College. At Morehouse, Antonio has become deeply involved in community service. Antonio’s Go Farther Alumni Award will go toward the Morehouse Bonner Holiday Giving and Community Support Initiative, which addresses food insecurity and assists low-income families during the holiday season. Antonio tells us, “My volunteer experience has shaped my understanding of community development and leadership, reinforcing my commitment to service and pursuing future work in urban planning and advocacy.”
Charmaine Dortch traveled to Argentina to participate in a program of cultural and language immersion as part of our 2016 student cohort. She has since received her BA in sociology from the University of Illinois and is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. Charmaine’s Alumni Award will support the work of College Possible where she currently serves as a high school coach. College Possible helps prepare under-resourced high school students for college admission and success. Charmaine shared, “Growing up in Englewood, Chicago, I faced many challenges similar to those of the students we serve. My goal is to be a mentor and guide, helping students see that college is a viable and valuable option. This grant will support both my efforts and the broader mission of College Possible, ensuring that more students have the opportunity to achieve their academic and career goals.”
2023
Farther Foundation was pleased to award four Alumni Award grants in 2023.
Hanan Ahmed was part of our 2013 cohort when she traveled on a cultural immersion program to Jordan. She has since earned a degree from Swarthmore College and now works for Google. Hanan has become an integral part of the team at Design FC, an organization that works with underrepresented school kids to engage their creative talents and show them paths forward in connecting them to their education and potential careers. Design FC’s founder tells us, “Hanan continues to be an invaluable supporter of Design FC, and her expertise and knowledge surrounding program operations, staff development, and strategic thinking have helped us take our organization to another level.”
Jocelyn Espitia was part of our 2023 cohort, so this year still a high school student. This past summer she was awarded a scholarship to participate in a college campus program at Brown University. Jocelyn’s Alumni Award will support Julia Center. Julia center provides welcome and support for immigrant families. Jocelyn dances with its Folklore Troupe and both she and her mother have participated in its programing. Jocelyn told us, “I grew up in the care and love offered in Julia Center's environment. “I grew up in the care and love offered in Julia Center's environment. The people who attend have become a second family. To this day, Julia Center is my safe place because of the welcoming environment.”
Asher Griffin was part of our 2020 cohort – this is a special cohort because these students were not able to participate in their travel programs because of the Covid pandemic. Instead, we offered these students, including Asher, a college scholarship if they made it to college. Asher is currently a student at DePaul University. Asher’s Award will support Mind’s Matter Chicago. Minds Matter is the mentoring and support organization that first referred Asher to us and that provides mentoring, support and guidance to dozens of high school students every year in the Chicago area. Asher particularly commends Minds Matter for getting them through the Covid pandemic that hit at a critical point in their academic life.
Jason Ivy was part of our 2012 cohort partaking in an academic program at Oxford University in England. Jason’s Award will support the Equality Dream Team where he has been a volunteer mentor. This program provides tools to help underserved African American youth develop economic stability by recapturing and redirecting the untapped potential of college-engaged and deferred African American youth to meet the needs of today's job market.
2022
Farther Foundation awarded two Alumni Award grants in 2022
Hanan in Jordan in 2013 on her Farther Foundation supported program
Hanan Ahmed was part of our 2013 scholarship cohort and participated in a cultural immersion and service program in Jordan. Hanan went on to earn a degree from Swarthmore College and while there became involved in after school programs serving lower income grade school students in the community.
Hanan remains involved with Design FC today. Her Go Farther Alumni Award grant will support Design FC’s flagship 18-week after school program. Design FC works with student in 4-5th grade and gives them a safe and fun place to be after school. They get an opportunity to express themselves creatively, and are exposed to a variety of creative fields, from photography to apparel design. While in the program, students are provided with critical mentorship and guidance that promotes positive social behavior and academic achievement. We are pleased to support the after school program at Design FC in Hanan’s name!
Jennifer underwater on her Farther Foundation supported program in Belize in 2015.
Jennifer Baeza was part of our 2015 cohort and spent her summer program in Belize where she learned to scuba and participated in an environmental conservation project.
Jennifer has received our Alumni Award on behalf of the community health organization she now works with - The HAP Foundation. The grant supports the Community Health Worker Program’s goal to close the healthcare inequity gap. Jennifer says, “By being the first Spanish speaker in the HAP Foundation, I am able to bring these resources to my own community and speak of the importance of it.” We are happy to support the HAP Foundation in Jennifer’s name.
2021
Samantha Castro-Rico, in the summer after her junior year of high school, used her Farther Foundation scholarship to participate in a global health program in Indonesia. That experience solidified her interest in health care — particularly the systemic inequities that exist in the availability and delivery of care at home and abroad.
Samantha is currently a senior at Yale University and an aspiring medical school student. Her passion for equity in health care led her to volunteer at The HAVEN Free Clinic at Yale. Farther Foundation is proud to acknowledge Samantha as our Alumni Award winner for 2021 and to donate $500 to HAVEN in her name.
Samantha recently made time to talk with us about her involvement with HAVEN, her progress and aspirations as a student, and the role her Farther Foundation experience had on her choices and achievements.
2020
In 2013, Brittanie Giroux was a student at Evanston High School when she used her Farther Foundation scholarship to participate in a program of cultural immersion and language learning in Cost Rica. Brittanie continued her education at Vanderbilt University where she graduated with a degree in environmental studies.
Brittanie was able to return to Evanston after college working with Americorps on issues of environmental sustainability. It was in this context where she got involved in the Quest4Earth program – enhancing STEM education for underserved middle school students in her community.
Farther Foundation is happy to award $500 in the name of Brittanie Giroux to the Quest4Earth program. We had the opportunity to talk online with Brittanie about the award, her involvement, and a bit about her past and future!
2019
Jennifer Martin was referred to us by our partners at Link Unlimited in 2017. With the support of Farther Foundation, Jennifer spent a month in Spain with AFS living with a host family, practicing her Spanish and learning about the local culture. Jennifer is currently a student at Cornell University.
Jennifer and her sister, Janet, founded their own community organization – Beauty and Brains. Through the organization, they dedicate themselves to service, with a primary focus on mentoring young women, and building a community to foster growth and empowerment. It offers educational opportunities, scholarships, and resources helping young women navigate through high school, college, graduate school, and onto their Professional careers. They aim to empower all women by boosting their confidence in themselves and their intellect.
Farther Foundation is happy to award $500 in the name of Jennifer Martin to support the scholarship program for deserving students through Beauty and Brains.
2018
Dejah Powell was part of our 2014 cohort when she traveled to Spain on an intensive language program. Dejah went on to graduate from Cornell University.
Dejah became involved in a project to bring an organic garden project to her former elementary school. “With Gardeneers support, the first school garden at Vanderpoel came to life and has since flourished. I’ve seen, during build and volunteer days, people from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and different generations all come together over the act of growing food. Garden educators have come out and worked weekly educating students about nutrition, about plant growth, about the importance of bees for the pollination of flowers. There’s a garden club, composed of more than seven 6th graders, who have helped plan and organize a movie fundraiser this past December in order to help with our goal of raising to sustain the garden for the next 5 years.”
Farther Foundation is happy to award $500 in the name of Dejah Powell to support the ongoing project with Gardeneers at Vanderpoel School.
2017
Paula Rusca was part of Farther Foundation’s first cohort of scholarship recipients in 2009. Paula went on a program to Hawaii that combined outdoor adventure, service projects and education about the native culture. Paula went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Penn State and a Master’s degree in public health from University of Illinois – Chicago. Paula also became the second of our program alumni to serve on the Farther Foundation board of directors.
In 2017 Paula was also active with the Angel Harvey Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society. Paula wrote, “I believe that the Angel Harvey Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society, and specifically the Back to School Event complements the mission of Farther Foundation. Both organizations care about supporting children and families in undeserved communities to reach their highest potential. If this grant were approved, the resources given can help to supply more schools supplies to more children and have a higher impact within the health clinic, and community. The Back to School Event is just one of the many ways that IWS acknowledges the socioeconomic barriers that prevent under served children and communities from being successful. Just as the Farther Foundation provides opportunities for students to travel worldwide and interact with diverse communities, IWS provides the health care services and a broad spectrum of support to enable this same population to maintain healthy and productive lifestyles.”
Farther Foundation is happy to award $500 in the name of Paula Rusca to support the Angel Harvey Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society.
2016
Gabriel Lara used his Farther Foundation scholarship in the summer of 2010 to travel to France where he spent a month immersed in the culture and language of the country while living with a French family. Gabriel went on to graduate from Tufts University and to earn a law degree from Chicago Kent School of Law.
Gabriel had become engaged with volunteer efforts to support organizations combatting domestic violence. His Alumni Award proposal sought support for the Run Domestic Violence Out of Town Team, a group of runners organized to raise funds for a coalition of ten agencies that work in the Chicago area and beyond to reduce domestic violence and support it victims.
Farther Foundation is happy to award $500 in the name of Gabriel Lara to support the Run Domestic Violence Out of Town Team.
Travel is singular in its ability to open the eyes and unbind the aspirations of students whose experiences rarely escape the boundaries of their own neighborhoods. Your tax-deductible contributions make these opportunities a reality for deserving students.