DEAR FRIENDS, I am writing this letter from

my home, with my children coloring

beside me and my husband on his

laptop next to us. I have the privilege

of working from home during this

crisis, with the technology and

resources I need to be successful

and to provide for my family, and

the flexibility to adjust my schedule

where necessary to take care of my

young children.

This is not the case for our

students or their families right now.

Our students’ families were

among the first wave of employees

who were laid off when COVID-19

THE DIRECTOR

’S

CORN

ER

continued on page 8

in this i s sue College Acceptances, p. 2 Spotlight: Futures in Focus (Strategic Plan), p. 4-5 National Mentor Month, p. 7

Spring 2020FUTURESf e a t u r e s

Annual Conference Introduces

Futures FairMore than 500 guests attended Philadelphia Futures’ Annual

Conference on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Drexel University, including

high school students, collegians, parents, mentors, and supporters of

the Futures community.

This year’s Annual Conference introduced a new event agenda and

structure. To fully embrace this year’s theme of “2020: Futures in Focus,”Philadelphia Futures engaged attendees in a conversation about the

gender gap in higher education outcomes. Higher educational attainment

is linked to better economic stability, improved health outcomes,

and community wellness indicators. The conversation invited the

community to share their ideas on how to increase degree attainment

for young men, particularly for the students Philadelphia Futures

serves. Following this conversation, guests broke out into smaller

groups to brainstorm solutions with community facilitators.

Philadelphia Futures also offered the new “Futures Fair” at lunch

— an interactive, student-led exhibition of the many programs and

services that the organization

offers. The Fair featured 25 tables

and the opportunity to chat with

Philadelphia Futures students,

alumni, and staff representatives.

CELEBRATE OUR GRADUATING SCHOLARS

Virtual GraduationCeremony

Wednesday, June 3, 2020Details to follow

Please join us as we gather,

via technology, to celebrate

our scholars’ accomplishments.

We hope you will join us.

2

NEW BOARD MEMBERS & NEW LEADERSHIP

Albright CollegeAmerican UniversityArcadia UniversityBarry UniversityBenedict CollegeBloomsburg UniversityBoston UniversityBrown UniversityBryn Mawr CollegeBucknell UniversityCabrini UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityCedar Crest CollegeChapman UniversityChestnut Hill CollegeCheyney UniversityClarion UniversityClark Atlanta UniversityColumbia UniversityCommunity College of Philadelphia

Cornell UniversityDelaware State UniversityDeSales UniversityDickinson CollegeDrexel UniversityDuke UniversityEast Stroudsburg UniversityElon UniversityEmerson CollegeFlorida Atlantic UniversityFlorida State UniversityFordham UniversityFranklin & Marshall CollegeGannon UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGettysburg CollegeGuilford CollegeGwynedd-Mercy CollegeHamilton CollegeHampton UniversityHarvard UniversityHaverford CollegeHoward UniversityHult International Business School

Immaculata UniversityIndiana University ofPennsylvania

Jacksonville UniversityJefferson UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityKenyon CollegeKutztown UniversityLaSalle UniversityLe Moyne College

Lafayette CollegeLehigh UniversityLincoln UniversityLycoming CollegeMansfield UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

McDaniel CollegeMichigan State UniversityMillersville UniversityMoravian CollegeMorgan State UniversityMuhlenberg CollegeNeumann CollegeNeumann UniversityNew York Institute of Technology

New York UniversityNorfolk State UniversityNorth Carolina A&TNortheastern UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityOberlin CollegeOccidental CollegePenn College of TechnologyPenn State University –Brandywine

Penn State University –Abington Campus

Penn State University –University Park

Point Park UniversityPrinceton UniversityRice UniversityRider UniversityRobert Morris UniversityRochester Institute ofTechnology

Rosemont CollegeRowan UniversityRutgers UniversityRutgers University – CamdenSaint Joseph’s UniversitySeton Hill UniversityShippensburg UniversitySlippery Rock UniversitySpelman CollegeStanford UniversitySusquehanna UniversitySwarthmore CollegeTemple UniversityTufts UniversityUnion CollegeUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of California –Berkeley

University of California –Irvine

University of California –Los Angeles

University of California –San Diego

University of ChicagoUniversity of Colorado –Boulder

University of ConnecticutUniversity of DelawareUniversity of DenverUniversity of FloridaUniversity of HoustonUniversity of KansasUniversity of Maryland –College Park

University of Maryland –Baltimore Campus

University of MiamiUniversity of MichiganUniversity of New HavenUniversity of OregonUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh –Bradford

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

University of Rhode IslandUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of SouthernCalifornia

University of TampaUniversity of Texas ArlingtonUniversity of the SciencesUrsinus CollegeVassar CollegeVillanova UniversityVirginia CommonwealthUniversity

Virginia State UniversityWashington & JeffersonCollege

Washington CollegeWashington University in St. Louis

Wayne State UniversityWesleyan UniversityWest Chester UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWidener UniversityWofford CollegeXavier University of LouisianaYale University* Colleges listed in bold arePhiladelphia Futures Partner Schools

Philadelphia Futures announced the election

of four new members and new executive leadership

effective January 23, 2020.

The four new members are Olenga Anabui,Director at Penn Medicine, Darrien Davenport,Executive Director of Multicultural Engagement

and Assistant Vice President of College Life at

Gettysburg College, Melvin Pitts, Supervising

Senior Associate at Chubb, and Michelle Sipics,Technology R&D Senior Principal at Accenture.

The new officers are President Kevin R. Boyle,Financial Partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens &

Young, LLP; Vice President Raj Tewari, Chief

Operating Officer at Glenmede; Treasurer MargaretSherry Lurio, Partner at Lurio & Associates, P.C.;

Secretary Jennifer Daley, Vice President and

Assistant Treasurer at Comcast Corporation, and

President Emeritus Phil Weinberg, Executive Vice

President/General Counsel at Comcast Spectacor.

“I am very pleased to have these transformative

leaders join our board and look forward to their

contributions,” said Sara Woods, Executive

Director. “They bring a wealth of experience

to our organization and serve as models to our

scholars of the professionals we hope they will

become. I look forward to implementing our new

strategic plan and charting the future of Futures

alongside them.”

College Acceptances100% of the Class of 2020

admitted to college!The Class submitted a total of 637 college applications and are makingtheir decisions about their “right fit” now. Those colleges include:

Olenga AnabuiBoard Member

Darrien DavenportBoard Member

Melvin PittsBoard Member

Michelle SipicsBoard Member

Kevin R. BoylePresident

Raj TewariVice President

Margaret Sherry LurioTreasurer

Jennifer DaleySecretary

Phil WeinbergPresident Emeritus

3

Futures News Feed

Philly Futures Month of ServiceFor the month of November, our high school scholars

participated in various community service projects. They volunteered at the Rocky Run, organized a donation

closet at Hall Mercer, cleaned up Cobbs Creek, and spent

time helping veterinarians and clients at Emancipet.

See all of the photos from the #PFMonthofService by

visiting our Facebook page.

Philadelphia Futures Receives $20,000from Eagles Social Justice Fund We were thrilled to announce that the Philadelphia Eaglesselected us as the recipient of a $20,000 renewal grant

from the Eagles Social Justice Fund. We are grateful to the Eagles community for their outstanding commitment

to reducing barriers to equal opportunity in education,

and we are using this investment to launch our new

Strategic Plan.

New Step Up to College VideosTo celebrate the 30th edition of the Step Up to College

Guide, we released a new video series. Each Step Up to

College video covers a key component of the Guide, from

understanding college admissions options to writing

college essays; from conquering the FAFSA to making

the right college “fit” decision. You can watch all eight StepUp to College videos by visiting the Step Up to College

YouTube page.

Dream Team Volunteer Day at MANNA Our local Philadelphia Futures collegians, the “DreamTeam,” volunteered at MANNA for the third year in a row.

Students ranged from the Classes of 2015-2019 and

represented Temple University, Arcadia University,

Bryn Mawr College, Penn State, La Salle University,

and the Community College of Philadelphia.

Health Design Thinking Club The Philadelphia Futures Health Design Thinking Club, a collaboration with JeffersonUniversity, helped students explore the design thinking process, emphasizing user experience

in health care. Throughout the course, students heard from many experts at Jefferson

Hospital as they shared career advice and highlighted design breakthroughs that created

significant improvements in the health industry. Many thanks to Philadelphia Futures

mentor Dr. Geoff Hayden and Jefferson for making this club possible for our students.

PhiladElPhia CiTy OF FuTurES PhiladElPhia

High School Graduation Rate 100% 69%

College Matriculation Rate 98% 55%

College Graduation Rate* 70% 23%*Classes since 2012

Philadelphia Futures began the strategic planning

process in January 2019, following a successful leadership

transition and the achievement of the major milestone

of its previous strategic plan, including organizational

integration following a successful merger.

As the organization reflected on its history and

strengths, and engaged with different stakeholders

throughout the planning process, it became clear that

Futures was at an inflection point. The strength of the

organization lies in its comprehensive support for students

from grade 9 through college graduation, and the next

five years present an opportunity for Futures: to build on

the successes of the prior strategic plan, and leverage proven

organizational strengths to grow its impact in the region.

In Philadelphia, only 69% of students graduate high

school, only 55% go to college, and only 23% of those

who matriculate graduate college. In comparison, Futures’

results are a testimony to the power of our approach.

Philadelphia Futures’ vision for the future is a city

where every student has what they need to succeed in

college and to thrive in life. An updated mission reflects

this new vision: Philadelphia Futures supports low-income,

first-generation-to-college students with the tools,

resources, and opportunities necessary for admission

to and success in college.

Core Principles As Philadelphia Futures developed this plan, all

decisions were made with three core principles in mind:

1. Scholar First Orientation: Students feel heard,

supported, informed and empowered, and make decisions

about college access and success that are informed by

both Futures’ learnings and the students’ life experiences.

2. Partnership: Our work is best accomplished

in partnership. We consult and seek to partner with our

students, their families, the community, other college

access organizations, and higher education institutions

in our work.

3. Commitment to Excellence: We aim to serve

as a model of excellence in executing and delivering our

services, and in incorporating best practices, data, and

research into all programs.

Although a college degree is a gateway to financial

and personal success, higher education attainment rates

among low-income, first-generation-to-college students

are significantly lower than their peers. The gap has

persisted for decades. A student born into the top quartile

of family income is over seven times more likely to earn

a bachelor’s degree than a student born into the bottom

quartile of family income. The disparities for students

of color are even starker.

Yet, the reality is that a college degree dictates whether

Americans can make the climb up the economic ladder:

adult children from families in the bottom fifth of the

income distribution are at least four times more likely

to reach the top fifth if they earn a four-year degree.

For families of limited means, there is no clear path to

truly viable college preparation and strong college guidance.

Yet without that guidance, the likelihood of students

being admitted to their best fit college, and subsequently

completing a degree, is significantly diminished.

There is a need to do more.

Organizational Strengths Philadelphia Futures brings considerable strengths

to its work, and our research during this process confirmed

those strengths. Futures is known for depth and quality.

It is distinguished by its comprehensive program and

track record of success. Futures has developed a suite of

college guidance, admissions support, and retention services

specifically designed to address the many barriers faced

by low-income, first-generation-to-college students. The

organization’s understanding of admissions “fit” issues

for its students helps to support their enrollment in

schools that are best suited to support their academic,

social, and financial success.

Our College Success program is a nationally

recognized model of support and engagement during

college that helps students to navigate this new and often

challenging territory. The depth of expertise developed

over the years of work in college admissions and student

persistence places Philadelphia Futures in a unique and

well-equipped position to expand its reach and to serve

more of Philadelphia’s low-income, first-generation-to-

college students.

Philadelphia Futures’ staff members are known as

experts in the field of college access and success. They

bring a tenacity, commitment, and passion to our work

that is inspiring. It is a diverse and highly educated team

with deep and rich experience that works collaboratively

and effectively to achieve our mission.

FUTURESIN FOCUS

SPOT

LIGHT

4

PHILADELPHIA FUTURES’ STRATEGIC PLAN 2020–2025

Strategic Priorities In order to support more students with greater impact

and to build a sustainable organization that can continue

this important work in the long-term, Philadelphia Futures

will focus on three strategic priorities for the next five years:

1. Expand: Ensuring more students have access to

proven strategies that support college access and success;

2. deepen: Enhancing our services to increase

the ability of our students to thrive;

3. Sustain: Investing in the human, financial, and

technological resources to achieve our mission and vision.

These strategic priorities will support Futures’ vision

to contribute to increasing the number of students in the

Philadelphia School District who enroll in and graduate

from college, and creating a city where every student has

what they need to succeed in college and to thrive in life.

Campus-Based Model One of the core components of the “expand”

priority includes implementing a campus-based model

to provide its direct services. Futures will begin to

provide direct services in both Center City Philadelphia

and neighborhood-based locations. These neighborhood

locations will be called “campuses” to reflect Futures’

emphasis on college access and success, and will be

located at schools or community-based organizations.

Students from various schools will be able to attend

these campuses.

This geographic shift will both deepen and expand

our services. It will make it easier for students to be

involved in other clubs and activities at their schools or

community-based organizations, giving them opportunities

to build more relationships with other students and

community members, and influence general attitudes

towards college attendance. Futures will focus on its

core strengths in college access guidance and leverage

the expertise of the community and community

organizations to provide other complementary services

and resources to students. This shift will also facilitate

greater opportunities to build and strengthen partnerships,

expand outreach efforts, and improve the use of technology

in service delivery.

Strategic Priority #3 Goals:SUSTAINInvest in the human, financial, and technological resources to achieve our mission and vision.

1. FinanCial:Secure and effectively steward financial resources for growth.

2. TalEnT:develop the appropriate board and staff leadership, skills, and structure.

3. TEChnOlOGy:implement technology systems to enhance student service and operations.

Strategic Priority #2 Goals:DEEPENEnhance our services to increase the success of our students.

1. increase the college graduation rate (6-year) to 80%, starting with the Class of 2020.

2. increase or maintain the percentage of students in each class graduating with manageable debt.

3. Build a diverse network of engaged volunteers to enhance student programs.

Strategic Priority #1 Goals:EXPANDEnsure more students have access to proven strategies that support college success.

1. 50% increase in students in direct service programs in five years.

2. Campus-model established and implemented, including strategic partnerships with other organizations.

3. 100% increase in the number of high school andcollege students served through Outreach Futures.

The next five years present an opportunity for Futures: to build on the successesof the prior strategic plan and leverage its proven organizational strengths togrow its impact in the region.

Join us as we work to achieve this vision.For more information about Philadelphia Futures and how to contribute to achieving this vision, please contact Sara Woods, Executive Director, at215-790-1666 or sarawoods@philadelphiafutures.org. Thank you for yourcommitment to and investment in our scholars and their college dreams.

Access the digital version of the Strategic Plan by visiting www.philadelphiafutures.org/strategicplan.

Our Path Forward

EXPAND • DEEPEN • SUSTAIN

5

By 2025, Philadelphia Futures

will serve 50% more studentsin its direct service programs

through a campus-based service delivery model.

PHILADELPHIA

6

SUPP

ORT

CORN

ER

Spring 2020HATS OFF TO OUR SUPPORTERSWe are very grateful to ourmany supporters for their generous gifts of time andresources. It is because of youthat our work is made possible.We extend our warmest thanks for the contributionsmade since the last issue of Futures Features.

FoundationsBarra Foundation

Beneficial Bank Foundation

Benevity Community

Impact Fund

1830 Family Foundation

Cameron Foundation

Caroline Alexander Buck

Foundation

Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Ertz Family Foundation

George W. Rentschler Foundation

Hoxie Harrison Smith

Foundation

Interact Theater

Leo Model Foundation

PACE

Pew Charitable Trusts

Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation

Rue Family Foundation

Thomas Skelton Harrison

Foundation

Townsend Foundation

Two or More Foundation

Walter Henry Freygang

Foundation

CorporationsBeneficial Bank Foundation

Bridgewater Associates, LP

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Comcast

Comcast Spectacor Charities

Eagles Social Justice Fund

Fox & Roach Charities

Glenmede

JP Morgan

Lincoln Financial Foundation

PECO

PNC Bank, N.A.

Subaru of America Foundation

Vanguard

Other OrganizationsArcadia University

Bryn Mawr College.

Cabrini University

Dickinson College

Gettysburg College

Gwynned Mercy University

Holy Family University

Lafayette College

Lycoming College

Millersville University

Muhlenberg College

Penn State University

Ursinus College

In honor of “MentorMonth” in January, our Philadelphia Futuresscholars thanked their mentors for the majorimpact they made on theirlives. For our scholars whowere recently matched, they wrote notes of theirexcitement about what is to come!

Philadelphia Futures’ Board Member Leads New Alumni Challenge

The Philadelphia Futures AlumniChallenge, which launched on March 1, shifted its focus to meet the unexpectedfinancial and resource needs of our first-generation-to-college students, due to theCOVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

This is a very challenging time forPhiladelphia Futures’ students and their families. We are asking college alumni to choose one of the following pay-it-forwardopportunities to make a life-changing difference for a student today:

• Cover the emergency expensesthat students are facing right now.By donating to the Philadelphia FuturesOpportunity Fund, you are allowing the organization to help with emergency expenses for students that, if not addressed,will prevent them from achieving collegesuccess. Please note “Opportunity Fund”when making your contribution atbit.ly/PhillyFuturesDonate

• Close a financial gap for studentsas they head off to college this year.Our high school seniors are finalizing collegedecisions during a very uncertain time. Help them make their college dreams cometrue by providing scholarship money to adeserving student. Please note “Scholarship” in your comments when you contribute atbit.ly/PhillyFuturesDonate.

Thank you for partnering with us to turn first-generation-to-college students into college alumni. For more information,please contact Korinne Gerhart at 215-790-1666 ex. 439 orkorinnegerhart@philadelphiafutures.org.

7

Individuals, FamilyFoundations and Donor-Advised Funds (Over $250)Anonymous (4)

Henry Adamczyk & Iris Melendez

Kathryn & John Adamiak

Tick Ahearn & Elly Truitt

Angelo & Lisa Annese

Theodore & Barbara Aronson

Cathy & Saul Behar

Mark Berger & Jane Eisner

Leslie Cheeseman & Albert Bixler

Jill & Sheldon Bonovitz

Boscia Family Foundation

Mrs. J. Mahlon Elia Buck &

Caroline Rogers

Frances & Kevin Boyle

Richard G. & Audrey A.

Brinkman Foundation

Carolyn & David Brodsky

Julian & Lois Brodsky

Bruce M. Brown

Dorothy & Lawrence Brown

Buck Family Fund

Rhonda & David Cohen

Michael Coleman

Comisky Family Foundation

Robert Courey & Thomas Keebler

Judith Dalton

Margaret W. Darby

Gregory Davis

James Holtzman Dochas Fund

Robert S. DuPlessis

Ertz Family Foundation

Joseph & Carolyn Evans

First United Methodist Church

of Germantown

Stephanie Flagg

Alan Gardner &

Katherine Connolly

Shannon & Stuart George

Margaret Havens

Jeremy Heymsfeld

Michel & Selina Hoessly

Howard & Mary Hurtig

Karl Janowitz

Allen & Nancy Jervey

Joshua & Christen Johnson

Patrick & Marcia Johnston

Ernest & Rae Scott Jones

Jeanne & Richard Kaskey

Donna Keegan

Donald & Vicki Kramer

Jeffrey Landsman

Ann & Wynn Lee

Judy Leone

Stephen & Julia Lis

Charity & Timothy Lisko

Mary & Andrew W. Maier

T. Michael & Barbara W. Mather

Matthews Stein Family Fund

Matthews Family Foundation

Lyn Montgomery

Kristen & David O’Connor

Kimberly & Tobey Oxholm

Edward Penberthy

Janet Perry & David Richman

Dr. & Mrs. Porter

Michele & Scott Porterfield

Jaya K. Rao

Michael & Yalta Reed

Jeffrey Winkler & Michele Reimer

Gresham & Pamela Riley

Andrew & Susan Roberts

Roseline Joseph

Richard Foltz & Frances Ryan

Richard Labowski &

Marilyn Sanborne

John & Sarah Schmader

Schoenbach-Tobey Foundation

Robert & Diana Scott

Frank & Kathleen Seidman

Elliot & Elinor Seif

Dr. Zachary Simpson &

Mrs. Starr Harris Simpson

Stanley R. Wolfe Foundation

Laura & Richard Steel

David Suisman

Cheryl Swinton

David V. N. Taylor Foundation

Tega Fund

Keith Telesca

Nicole Tell

Raj Tewari

TZEDEK Fund

John Urofsky

Ada & Frank Warner

Philip & Terry Weinberg

Warwick & Mollie Wheeler

Robert & Carol White

Janet & Alan Widra

Laura & Mitchell Wienick

Robert & Lynn Woods

Sara Woods & Will Enscore

Christopher Zafiriou

Philadelphia FuturesScholarshipsLaurie J. Keeler Award

Lisa Marie Thomas Memorial

Scholarship

Destined for Success Scholarship

Dr. Willie W. Echewa Scholarship

The James W. and Joan M.

Keebler Scholarship

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Scholarship

Kim Freitag Memorial

Scholarship for

Awesome Achievement

WELCOME TO NEW SPONSOR-A-SCHOLARSPONSORSDr. & Mrs. Howard &

Mary Hurtig*

Stephen & Julia Lis*

Janet & Alan Widra*

Laura & Mitch Wienick*

Thomas Keebler & Bob Courey

Charity & Tim Lisko

Bob & Carol White*

Elliot & Elinor Seif

Gregory Davis*

Dries & Kathryn Darius*

In Memory of

Marciene Mattleman

* Have previously sponsored

in the Program

WELCOME TO NEW SPONSOR-A-SCHOLARMENTORSClass of 2021Christopher McGuire

Rorujorona Ferrell

Brandon Neale

Ivy Gluck

Melanie Freely*

Jenine Maeyer

Kristy Shine

Billy Dunn

Drew Von Bargen

Class of 2022Lisa Tucker

Diem Bloom*

Kelsey Naughton

Kayla Claxton

Amira Leifer

RaSean Booker

Peter Hoffman

Olenga Anabui*

Tara Zaks

* Have previously mentored

in the Program

A SPECIAL THANK YOUWe extend our sincerest gratitude

to Glenmede for graciously

underwriting the Spring 2020

edition of Futures Features.

230 S. Broad Street, 7th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19102215-790-1666www.philadelphiafutures.org

www.facebook.com/philadelphiafutures@PhillyFutures@PhillyFutures/PhiladelphiaFutures

Board of Directors

Kevin R. Boyle, PresidentRaj Tewari, Vice PresidentMargaret Sherry Lurio, SecretaryJennifer Daley, TreasurerPhil Weinberg, President Emeritus

Pauline AbernathyOlenga AnabuiDarrien Davenport Randy FreitagStuart M. GeorgeOtis D. Hackney, IIIKatrina HighStephen C. LisMichael MenendezJeffrey W. OrlandoJanet G. PerryMelvin PittsMichele A. PorterfieldMichelle Sipics Richard L. Williams

Sara Woods, Executive Director

8

restrictions went into place. Families without a safety net, without

access to childcare, without technology, without resources to make

sure their basic needs are met.

Our students are also struggling. All experienced the abrupt

shift to online learning, without the proper technology nor training

to ensure their success. Our collegians lost campus and community

jobs, places to live, and access to food.

The excellent Philadelphia Futures staff is working diligently

with our students to provide socio-emotional support, academic

and college guidance, and a guidepost to look to while navigating

this crisis.

The Philadelphia Futures community has answered our call

for help. Thanks to your generosity, we have purchased technology,

furniture, and gift cards for our students to help with their basic

needs. I am grateful, as are our students and their families.

But there is so much more we need to do.

Philadelphia Futures is a beacon of hope and stability for our

students when everything else feels like quicksand. We are committed

to remaining as such and many of you have asked what you can

do to help. Here a few concrete things you can do:

1. Make an unrestricted gift to Philadelphia Futures so

that we can deploy our resources as nimbly as possible:

bit.ly/PhillyFuturesDonate.2. Contribute to our Opportunity Fund, which provides

emergency resources to our students now and in the future, to

help them achieve their college dreams. Please note “Opportunity

Fund” when making your gift: bit.ly/PhillyFuturesDonate.

3. Sponsor a student: Students in our Sponsor-A-Scholar

program and our College Connection program receive stipends

during college to help with books, transportation, and other

needs. Recently, sponsorship funds have helped collegians return

home when their colleges abruptly closed. Learn more at

bit.ly/PFSponsorAStudent.4. Send a note or a video to our scholars, telling them how

much they matter and encouraging them to persevere in their

academic journey. If you are not connected to a particular

student at the moment, please send notes to my attention at

the Philadelphia Futures office and videos to my email address

(sarawoods@philadelphiafutures.org). Our team will make sure

they are delivered to our scholars.

5. Join us for our virtual graduation celebration on June 3,

where we will surround our students with joy as we recognize

their accomplishments in high school and in college.

During this time of crisis, I am inspired by our students,

our families, and our community. We will continue to provide our

students with the resources, tools, and opportunities to succeed in

college and in life, despite all that is changing around us. Thank

you for partnering with us.

Sincerely,

Sara Woods

Executive Director

You are receiving this newsletter by mail because we do not have your email address on file. Please fill out the following form so that you can continue to receive the newsletter and other publications: bit.ly/PFContactForm

continued from page 1THE DIRECTOR’S CORNER