Give Something Back is thrilled to announce its support of its first students in New York. Give Back in New York is partnering with experienced community organizations and mentoring programs to provide our students with academic and social support through high school and college – all the way to graduation.
Through Give Back’s partnership with the Osborne Association, we have the privilege of supporting Lianna, a high-achieving student from Brooklyn who started school at Mercy College this fall. Lianna has received a full tuition, fees, room and board scholarship. Throughout her four years, Lianna will benefit from the extraordinary support and mentorship that Mercy College offers its students through their innovative PACT mentor program.
“Move-in day at Mercy went well,” Lianna said. “There was so much to unpack and move around but the end result almost feels like home!”
With a passion for connecting with people and an interest in sales, Lianna chose to study Business Marketing at Mercy.
“I love getting to know different people,” Lianna said. “Reaching out to them and leaving them more than satisfied with a sale can make my day and their day, too,” Lianna said.
Lianna is also an alumna of the Youth Action Council at the Osborne Association, a program dedicated to supporting families impacted by the criminal justice system.
“We are lucky to have found such a strong partner in The Osborne Association,” Director of Give Back, New York, Lina Moe, said. “Osborne has decades of experience in advocating for the rights of children with incarcerated parents. Their staff is so knowledgeable about evaluating and providing support and advocacy that fits the needs of each young person. In particular, Diana Archer, the coordinator for Children and Youth Services at Osborne, has helped us connect with participants in their youth programs who are ready to thrive in college.”
In two weeks, Give Back will finalize its most recent partnership in New York with Binghamton University, the flagship school of the SUNY system. “Binghamton’s outstanding EOP program and the support of its administrative leadership make me confident they will be a great partner for Give Back over the coming years,” Moe said.
In March 2017, Give Back also partnered with Queens College, CUNY, which was recently named one of the top schools in the country to move students into the middle class. “President Félix Matos Rodriguez and Vice President Richard Alvarez were incredibly generous with their personal support and time in getting our partnership with Queens off the ground,” Moe said. “Give Back will work with all of our partner schools to establish close relationships with their admissions officers, as well as representatives in the student affairs and financial aid offices to ensure that Give Back scholars arrive on campus prepared, confident, and able to say hello by name to administrators and professors.”
Give Back looks forward to future potential to impact more students just like Lianna, providing educational opportunities and mentoring to youth throughout the nation.