Looking Back on February

The month of February, through a "Global Scholars" lens, was an incredible one. And perhaps the most noteworthy of all experiences was being awarded a grant to fund Families Forward's 2019 summer enrichment program. As part of our Global Scholarship Seminar class, my friend Alexa and I  asked for $1,500 to fund educational day-programs and lunches for elementary-aged "alums" of Families Forward for 10 days during the summer. The panel we presented in front of were gracious, enthusiastic, and kind, and ultimately granted the full amount asked. When I emailed Sarah, the director of Families Forward, with the news, she emailed back that she had "screamed;" "thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Families Forward is a big part of my life now, especially within the last few months. I've been volunteering at Families Forward, formerly known as Mothers' Club, since the 7th grade, and this past summer I was elected as a Teen Lead. Being a Teen Lead at Families Forward means a few things. There are 9 of us total (including Eli Grossman, fellow Poly student), and we come in every month, for a few hours each time, to discuss all sorts of things. During the month of February, I had a Teen Lead meeting. During this meeting, the Teen Leads discovered that we would be in charge of volunteer orientation for the summer, and we began planning activities for prospective volunteers. I also had my weekly Wednesday tutoring sessions with third-grader Alexis, which takes place at FF, and a Teen Lead meeting with the FF board (big deal!!), during which we discussed pairing the Teen Leads up with members of the board for the latest fundraising e-campaign. And this upcoming Thursday, my mom and I will be attending "The Power of Two," a fundraising gala for FF where the Teens Leads (and mine and Alexa's grant!) will be honored. I've grown really close with my fellow teens, and Sarah, and it feels amazing being apart of this organization. I'm so grateful that Poly GIP gave me the opportunity to fund one of their many amazing programs, and I wish that I could spend as much time at FF every month as I did during the month of February.


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