A Note from our Executive Director |
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Dear Friends,
For those of us living in Northeast Ohio, we have learned that we have the opportunity to enjoy many seasons and sometimes we can get all four seasons in one week! The last two weeks reminded me of my first year of college at The Ohio State University and when we experienced a blizzard in January. Classes were cancelled and we basically were hunkered down in our dorms. I still remember calling my parents and telling them about all of the snow and how cold it was in Columbus. Wanting to make certain that I had whatever I needed to be successful in college, my always supportive parents braved the weather in my hometown, went to the store, and mailed me two additional blankets for my room.
Some of you probably want to know why I am going down memory lane to my first year of college and who is that person in the picture? It probably has a lot to do with the fact that this month, we have been processing this semester's scholarship checks for our college students. I have had the opportunity to talk to many of our students and/or receive emails from them. Here's an excerpt from one of the emails: "Thank you for all of the support over my years in college. I also wanted to express my appreciation for the money that you guys provided me. It helps tremendously and I think it’s great what you guys do. Keep it up!"
Although I recognize that my college experience is certainly different (i.e., no cell phones, computers, social media) from our students, some things (including a blizzard in January), are the same! They may have more luxuries now, but they also have so much more that they are experiencing, including a pandemic, that seems to be unwilling to go away, and rising college costs.
Thankful for the Donors to the Project GRAD Akron Scholarship Fund!
As I indicated in the first 2022 edition, in each newsletter, I plan to share with you something that I am thankful about at Project GRAD Akron. It really isn't difficult to come up with topics because each of you make it easy to show our appreciation. Today's thankful is dedicated to the donors to our Scholarship Fund. Since 2006, Project GRAD Akron has been blessed with the opportunity to support our college students from the Akron Public Schools with scholarship payments! The amounts vary, but are typically $500.00 per semester. Without your scholarship contributions, we would not be able to assist the students with the much-needed scholarship payments. Some of you have been making donations from our inception in 2002 to the present. Others make donations at varying intervals. Whatever the amount and no matter the frequency, it makes a difference! All the money adds up and assists our students in their pursuit of their post-secondary degrees! We are very fortunate that individuals, foundations, businesses, and organizations understand the importance of supporting students with scholarship funds. In addition to the scholarship payments from Project GRAD Akron, we are also able to assist our students in leveraging additional money to pay for their education. Thank you so much for believing in our students and the work that we do at Project GRAD Akron! It is greatly appreciated!
How you can support: As you think about how you can support students, please consider making a donation to Project GRAD Akron's Scholarship Fund. You can donate by clicking the link Donate Here! You can set-up a one-time payment or you can donate on a more frequent basis. No amount is too small or too large! You can also mail a payment to Project GRAD Akron, 10 N. Main Street, Suite 503, Akron, OH 44308. If you would like to discuss a giving plan, please feel free to contact me at 330-761-3056 or via email at jsilasbutler@projectgradakron.org. I would love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to read this e-newsletter. Each edition, we hope that you will enjoy reading more about our students, staff, volunteers, and supporters! Please visit our website to learn more about Project GRAD Akron by clicking (GRAD Website) . Please continue to take care and be safe! Remember, Graduation Really Achieves Dreams!
Sincerely,
Jacqueline "Jackie" Silas-Butler, Esq.
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A Moment with PGA Scholar, Mariah Muhammad |
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Mariah Muhammad graduated from the Akron Public Schools in 2018. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University through the Young Scholars Program. This upcoming May, Mariah will be graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in History. Additionally, she is graduating with another degree in English Literature with a minor is Professional Writing. She plans to move to New York this summer to professionally begin her career in journalism.
We asked Mariah, "How do you believe Project GRAD Akron helped you during your high school years, and beyond?"
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She began by saying that PGA helped her apply for many scholarships, and many of them she won. She said, "Every semester, I look forward to the Project GRAD Akron Scholarship to help me with my books and other supplies. I know the program is always something I can rely on."
If Mariah could give high school students advice, she would recommend always applying to scholarships, specifically ones that renew annually. She says, "College is expensive and truly is a privilege to be in college and not have to worry about your finances."
In her free time, Mariah enjoys singing jazz, writing her own lyrics, reading books, and traveling!
We thank Mariah for her time and participation and we wish her all the best!
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Q & A with Staff Member: Laurie Curfman |
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Q: What is your role at Project GRAD Akron?
A: My role at Project GRAD Akron is to manage our programs and services as Director of Programs. In this position I wear many hats, but all of the hat swapping is critical to support what our organization is all about – providing programs and services to support students socially and academically from kindergarten to career. As Director of Programs, I work with intentionality to design and ensure that our program frameworks are not only backed-up by evidence, but that all of our programs build on each other incrementally to guide students through the process of preparing for life after high school graduation with the skills, resources, and knowledge to actualize their plan and reach their dreams and aspirations.
I am honored to serve as supervisor to the Program Staff and Team Members. PGA’s staff is talented, creative, mission-oriented, but most of all they each are committed to the students and families we serve and it shows through their on-going efforts to build relationships with students that are productive, caring, and engaging.
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Our Team Members include enthusiastic and energetic university and college interns that provide direct services to our students. Since 2005, we have had 104 interns complete their pre-service learning with PGA.
In my role, I am also responsible for grant writing and grant management. Seeking funding opportunities to support our work is crucial and this task keeps me challenged to stay on top of the latest research and also gives me the opportunity to engage with many community partners and work collaboratively with funders and supporters.
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Q: What do you love about working with Akron Public Schools (APS) students?
A: Since June of 2005, I have worked with so many wonderful students and families that have personally and professionally impacted my life. What has been really fun, and somewhat salient of the actual number of years that have passed, is that I am meeting and having the pleasure of working with children of students that participated in our program while they were in high school!
Over the years I have seen much change in the schools and the community; however, one constant has been that parents want opportunities for their children to thrive and be successful and students want to achieve and succeed – you just have to show your commitment to them, be honest, respectful, show you care, and make them feel like they belong. I strive to meet students and families’ needs every day and I continue to find joy and hope in the resilient nature of our young people.
Q: Tell us about a time when a student really made an impact on you.
A: Although there are many students I have fond memories of, there is one student who really stands out in my memory that truly impacted me. This young man was a real “tough” guy. His attitude, his appearance, and his behavior worried me. I worked to develop a cordial relationship with him by simply saying, “Good morning, it’s great to see you today”, each day as he would pass our room. It took a while, but eventually, he began responding with a nod or making eye contact. In the spring of that year, I suggested he stop in the Resource Room, which he did. Our conversations began to lead to discussions about what his plans were for his future, which he really had not thought about. During this time, I was recruiting for our Healthy, Wealthy, Wise summer program at the University of Akron. He asked what it was all about and before I knew it, he wanted to participate! He showed up alone to the Parent Meeting and then returned a completed application. When the program started, he attended every day and actively participated. On the last day the students, in groups, made memory boards of their experience. They had taken photos during the two weeks, which we printed out. Unbeknownst to me, this young man had insisted a photo of me be included on his team’s board. He spread gold glitter around my picture. When it came time to share out, this young man stated that he included my picture because, “she really cares about us!” I still have this picture. When I look at it, it serves as continued affirmation that our work is important and we make a difference, sometimes one student at a time.
Q: What do you wish people knew about Project GRAD Akron?
A: I cannot tell you the number of times volunteers or even school personnel work with us and say, “Wow, I didn’t know Project GRAD Akron did all of this”! We provide wholistic and comprehensive services to our students with a focus on their social competency as well as their academic lives as they think and learn and prepare for life after high school graduation. It continues to amaze me that with a small but mighty staff, we make so much happen for the students and families we serve because we do believe Graduation Really Achieves Dreams!
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Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Outside of spending time with my family, including my husband, four children, two stepchildren, three grandchildren, and my 95-year old father, I have always and continue to enjoy cooking, baking, and gardening! I also dedicate time to community advocacy and social justice through the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
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Apply to be a GRAD Mentor! |
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January is National Mentoring Month!
If you are looking for an amazing volunteer opportunity in 2022, look no further than the GRAD Mentors program at Project GRAD Akron. We are looking for dedicated community members who will develop and maintain a mentor relationship with a high school student at either Buchtel or East High Schools (Community Learning Centers) in the Akron Public Schools.
Interested in learning more? Call our office at 330-761-3113 or apply on our website.
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Save the Date for March GRADness! |
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Monday, April 4, 2022
Greystone Hall, Akron, OH
4:00 - 7:30 PM
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Click on the links to "Connect" with Project GRAD Akron
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