HigherEd Passion Project

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HigherEd Passion Project 〰️〰️

  • Type of Initiative: Access to Higher Education

  • Purpose: To close the inter-generational gap in technology for Latino Students in poverty

  • Target Group:

    • Ages 10-17 years old

  • Sponsoring Committee: 2022 AWS Innovation Fund Proposal-Sponsored

  • Funds Granted: $17-20K

“We need to encourage and demonstrate support for their children, students, who might not have received any support before”

Most educated peers or colleagues have never needed a help hand; Imagine who did?

Cyclical generations of poverty remain not only because of injustice but also because of lacks of wake-up calls to many.

Concept

The idea of this MEVA Workshop was to bring awareness to the Latinx/o/é community about technology gaps in their children’s education. A tool, a laptop, was also handed out to each recipient.

Outcomes:

21 laptops handed out to marginalized students within the DC/VA/MD metropolitan area.

The Work Plan

Planning

So, for 4 months, the grant writer and operations Manager (I), AWS representative, and the sponsored organization lead had Zoom calls about how to choose and elect children for the opportunity.

Implementation

So, nearing 1-1.5 months towards the workshop day, I gave selected volunteers a chance to reach out and get a headcount. Additionally, I had to gather materials for icebreakers and games for the rest periods at the workshop.

Completion

The day of the workshop was hectic and long-standingly exciting, all while tiring. It was an excellent event, with everyone happily munching on Chick-fil-A meals!

The Workshop

  • Dream it.

    Some volunteers and the AWS representative rebooting the laptops.

  • Build it.

    The parent-side of the workshop, hearing the AWS representative give a small chat.

  • Grow it.

    The entire group with the volunteers including the AWS sponsor, the Grant Writer & Operations Manager (I), and the kids!

  • Learn it.

    The volunteers doing an ice-breaker with the kids in the workshop.

  • Hone it.

    Alex (AWS Sponsor) and Cristina (I) following up individually with all the kids.