A Global Perspective: from the Bronx to the World

As you all know, I am the Founding Operations Manager at SBC High School. A core part and my personal favorite component of the SBC model is our "Rites of Passage" mentorship program - a gender-based brother/sisterhood that fosters leadership development, a sense of self-advocacy, confidence and preparation for the real world. Within this program, I serve as a facilitator to a group to 20 amazing 11th grade girls,"Flower Power", who I've mentored every Wednesday since freshman year.

Each academic year culminates in an ROP excursion that builds critical mindsets and social/emotional skills through experience. Some examples of this are an overnight camping and college trip which is usually a first time experience for the majority of our students.

While knowing that many of my students have never left their borough let alone own a passport, and recognizing the profound impact traveling continues to have on me, I decided to build our first ever international program for our founding Junior Class.

Over the last few months and for the rest of the year, I am working extensively to build an international experience for our students, where they will be participating in a service learning project in Latin America.

My goal is for our students to discover new perspectives of the world and their critical role in it. This is a defining moment for our 11th graders as members of the South Bronx, our school community and as global citizens.

I've partnered up with 2 non-profit organizations in Latin America, Dream Volunteer in Guatemala and Vida Educational Travel in Costa Rica. Through these organizations, students will be living with local families and engaging in service projects like the beautification homes and schools in impoverished communities.

The cost of this trip is $1,500 per student. However, recognizing the South Bronx is NYC's most poverty-stricken community, I am aiming to cover over 75% of all costs per student, which would leave families to contribute less than $500 of the total cost. The trip cost covers flights, accommodations, 3 meals per day, transportation, travel insurance, project placement, supplies, wifi and cultural excursions.

This is a valuable experience as many students in the South Bronx do not have access to opportunities like these since they're usually offered in more prestigious schools or to privileged demographics.

Additionally, this opportunity will serve as an asset to their college application and my hope is for students to come back feeling empowered regardless of their socio-economic background and compelled to break barriers, stigmas and cycles.

Please help me by donating. Your contribution, whether big or small, would be significant in helping me bring this experience for our students- my personal dream and passion- to life!

I've enlisted all members of our school to fundraise for this cause with the hope of sending all 100 Juniors abroad. Yes, ambition is my calling!

I am forever indebted to you all!