Due to pandemic, we took a a break from hosting FGFM workshops.  However, an email from Michelle Rivas, a counselor at Odessa Shannon Middle School in Silver Spring, MD, got our mentors back into action.  Ms. Rivas reached out and shared that her students, 70% of whom are Latino, could benefit tremendously from a mentorship program.  Working with Ms. Rivas, and with the support of Principal Dr. Natasha Booms, FGFM was able to coordinate the first of many sessions at Odessa Shannon Middle School. Since this was our first time working with Montgomery Public School System, our mentors went through the required training to work with county students.

 

On April 24, 2023, we hosted the FGFM workshop for 7 middle school students.  All the young  mentees were either immigrants or children of immigrants who would be the first in their families to attend college.  Since the workshop was held at the end of the school day, we adjusted the program to last only two hours and we also provided attendees with pizza.  Our volunteer mentor line up included:  Nikolas Castellon (Paralegal), Jonathan Ricci (UMD Undegraduate), Rodolfo Sanchez (Attorney), Emmanuel Fischelman (Attorney), Marco Regalado (IT Professional), Edgar Jimenez (IT Professional), Jorge Campos (Accountant), Ignacio Sandoval (Attorney)

Nathaniel Guzman (Operations Manager), Jorge Castillo (Attorney), Cesar Romero-Gonzalez (UMD Undergraduate) and Julian Ramirez (UMD Undergraduate).  Huge thank you to our mentors as they had to take leave from work or school to guide mentees.

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