MAAC Hosts College Day for Ukrainian Refugee Youth
Navigating the college process is challenging for any high schooler. And MAAC prides itself on serving the area’s most vulnerable youth. But when MAAC brought its successful college readiness program to a group of teens in Jersey City several weeks ago, even MAAC executive director Andrea Smith-Morgan was in awe at the back stories of these students. Fifteen Ukrainian refugees and their parents attended MAAC’s flagship college preparation workshop, customized to meet their specific language and academic needs.
“It was an amazing, fun-filled day of sharing stories and exploring college options with the most appreciative people we could have met,” said Smith-Morgan. “We had translators on hand to assist with language barriers. The students were so enthusiastic and relaxed and open to learning! And our practitioners brought such clarity to these vulnerable families. Yajaida, our FAFSA expert, brought two moms to tears by explaining all the resources that are available to them.”
The six-hour workshop, in partnership with Church World Services, included icebreakers and storytelling, brainstorming college essays, school counseling, financial aid education, and more.
The students weren’t the only beneficiaries of this program. Parents had the chance to speak with experts on a range of subjects, both for their child’s benefit as well as theirs. One student’s mother, who worked in dance in Ukraine, was looking for work, and a MAAC staff member connected her with a dance studio run by a friend. The day resulted in friends being made, opportunities provided, and a connection established between the Ukranian refugee community and the staff at MAAC.
“They want more,” said Smith-Morgan. “Since this event, two parents emailed our FAFSA expert Yajaida, looking for support. We can truly say that MAAC is for everyone. Everyone has access to what we offer: support and guidance toward college readiness and a future filled with opportunities.”
MAAC Receives 4Imprint Grant
MAAC has been awarded a $500 promotional products grant from 4Imprint’s One by One program. The grant will allow MAAC to order up to $500 worth of personalized products at no charge.
“We are so excited to receive this generous grant from 4Imprint,” said MAAC executive director Andrea Smith-Morgan. “We will use the grant to purchase some cool swag for our MAAC scholars, as a reminder of and advertisement for the inspiration, learning, energy, and potential manifested through MAAC!”
4Imprint’s website that it awards these grants “to organizations that are making a difference. This helps them spread the word, recruit volunteers, thank donors, or in some other way turn one thing into something much more. . . Their stories are truly inspiring.”
MAAC Board Members
Yanira Amadeo LeShae Daniel Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara * Tanya Isler-Horne
Ramel Meekins Julian Pinnix-Odrick Nadine Verna * Tamara Williams
Sent to: patty@themaac.org
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Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC), PO BOX 338, Montclair, NJ 07042, United States
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