Sam Daponte with The Flossy

SUMMARY

Sam worked as a Community Advocacy and Engagement Fellow with The Flossy, a grassroots organization addressing structural inequities in marginalized communities. Sam helped mobilize community support for Canarsie Park through an environmental justice lens and actively engaged in local schools, teaching advocacy strategies and environmental justice issues.

OVERVIEW

• Canvassed to engage residents in environmental justice issues impacting Canarsie Park and East Brooklyn.

• Created and administered The Flossy’s first climate justice survey, collecting valuable data on community concerns and priorities.

• Led in-school workshops and programming at local schools to educate students about advocacy strategies and environmental justice.

• Helped train SYEP interns in community organizing and advocacy, equipping the next generation of changemakers with practical tools for activism.

• Played a key role in organizing and executing The Flossy’s Climate Day of Action, a community-driven event advocating for environmental equity.

• Led a discussion at The Flossy’s second annual Smoothie & Strategy Event, focusing on strategies for community engagement and environmental justice.

• Developed a comprehensive report detailing community feedback from meetings, providing a synthesized vision for the future of Canarsie Park.

IMPACT

Sam directly mentored five SYEP interns, and The Flossy estimates that 300-500 youth in the Canarsie community will be impacted through environmental equity initiatives, thanks to Sam’s efforts.

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Articles by Sam:

Sofia Perez with Today's Students, Tomorrow's Teachers

SUMMARY

Sofia worked as an Administrative Data Fellow with Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT), an organization dedicated to recruiting, mentoring, and training culturally diverse and economically challenged students from high school through college to become effective teachers and community leaders. Sofia provided critical administrative, research, and program coordination support at TSTT's headquarters, ensuring smooth program operations and strategic growth.

OVERVIEW

• Conducted data management tasks, including compiling, analyzing, and reporting data to track the progress of assigned TSTT programs, aligned with HQ objectives.

• Updated and maintained existing records to provide valuable insights for future decision-making and organizational growth.

• Developed and managed an organizational contact list in Excel, coordinating with Regional Program Managers and Directors across three key site locations.

• Supported student outreach efforts, social media management, and compiled a comprehensive donor master list to aid in fundraising and community engagement.

IMPACT

Sofia's work is projected to positively impact approximately 800 youth through TSTT’s programs.

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Articles written by Sofia:

Parnita Basnet with South Queens Women's March

SUMMARY

Parnita worked as a Community Outreach Fellow with the South Queens Women’s March (SQWM), advancing the organization's mission to elevate the voices of women in South Queens. They played a pivotal role in developing and leading youth programming during the summer, focusing on creating sustainable initiatives through curriculum development and strategic outreach.

OVERVIEW

• Facilitated outreach efforts for the "Rise Up and Lead" summer youth program.

• Conducted a thorough review of the previous year's curriculum to identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that the new content was impactful and aligned with the program's goals.

• Reached out to and coordinated with guest speakers and field trip tour guides to discuss the program's objectives and how their involvement would enrich the youth participants’ experience.

• Designed and implemented participant surveys to collect feedback, using the insights to refine and enhance the program for future cohorts.

• Led workshops and activities on key topics such as public speaking, team dynamics, and advocacy, equipping youth with practical skills for leadership and community engagement.

• Actively participated in civic initiatives by attending APA VOICE meetings and leading voter engagement tabling, promoting youth involvement in civic activities and fostering a sense of responsibility within the community.

IMPACT

Parnita directly worked with 18 youth in the Rise and Lead program and her work is expected to impact 200+ youth through continued SQWM programming.

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Articles by Parnita:

Kimberly Bravo with South Bronx United

SUMMARY

Kimberly worked as a Student and Family Engagement Fellow with South Bronx United (SBU). There, Kimberly contributed to SBU’s mission of educational equity for students in the South Bronx by supporting the planning and facilitation of student engagement initiatives within the Summer Soccer Scholars program, such as the organization of the Color Cup event. Additionally, Kimberly supported summer and fall family outreach engagement efforts to strengthen their connection to SBU, by increasing their knowledge of and access to SBU support.

OVERVIEW

• Contacted 90% of SBU Academy families through outreach initiatives, obtaining 80% of all SBU families key required documents 

• Strengthened family participants' connection to SBU 

• Supported in obtaining 100% completion of financial assistance form and effectively supporting families.

• Meet weekly targets for PBIS/Color Cup activities (point tracking, Store prep, and tracking, facilitation of engaging and fun weekly assemblies)

• Contributed to student engagement and satisfaction in the program, obtaining an average of 80% student attendance.

IMPACT

Kimberly's work with SBU directly impacted 190 youth, ages 6-17 years old.

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Articles written by Kimberly:

Daniel Mesa-Buitrago with AdmissionSquad

SUMMARY

Daniel worked as a Curriculum Development Fellow with Admission Squad, an organization dedicated to helping high-achieving middle school students gain admission to top NYC high schools, colleges, and exposure to leading careers. Daniel contributed to the development of a culturally responsive SAT test prep curriculum designed to meet the needs of Black and Brown New York City youth.

OVERVIEW

• Conducted comprehensive research on the SAT, including topic and skill breakdowns, question type percentages, and the format of the new Digital SAT.

• Researched effective teaching methods and lesson structures for specialized content delivery.

• Developed mock SAT questions contextualized within the lived experiences of Black and Brown New York City students to enhance cultural relevance and engagement.

• Created a 15-week curriculum map covering 30 unique SAT topics and skills, including 12 SAT math lesson slide decks (covering 19 topics) and 10 SAT English lesson slide decks (covering 11 topics).

IMPACT

Daniel’s curriculum development is expected to impact approximately 200 high school-aged students when the program is implemented in summer 2025.

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Articles written by Daniel:

Kayla Santiago with South Bronx United

SUMMARY

Kayla worked as an Academic Support Fellow with South Bronx United. South Bronx United strives to promote educational achievement, health and wellness, and character development through activities on and off the soccer field and to unite a diverse group of individuals and an incredibly diverse community toward common

positive goals. There, Kayla contributed to SBU’s mission of educational equity for students in the South Bronx by reducing the barriers to access to education. She helped to streamline document management processes, motivated students to submit transcripts promptly, accurately tracked student progress on SSPs, identified trends for targeted interventions, and facilitated direct communication with students.

OVERVIEW

• 100% transcript collection, review, and entry for all rising juniors and seniors

• Evaluated School Transcripts and graduation credit completion

• Developed a Student tracker including, grade tracking based on transcripts

• Conducted outreach to gather School, Parent, and Student Contact Information 

•  Supported after-school programming by running lessons effectively and event planning

IMPACT

Kayla supported 94 students (Classes of 2024-2027).

Jessica Harrington with Camp Fire Heart of Iowa

SUMMARY

Jessica worked as a Teen Program Development Fellow with Camp Fire Heart of Iowa. Camp Fire connects young people to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. 

There, Jess provided support in launching teen programs and building a Youth Advisory Board. Jess also developed a sustainability plan that would help program leaders with future programming. 

OVERVIEW

• Created program frameworks (outlines, lesson plans, schedules, etc) for the three proposed programs – utilizing existing materials, feedback from partner organizations, and input from participating youth.

• Planned and implemented an outreach plan to recruit participants for these programs from existing membership and via partner organizations (local schools, and other youth-serving organizations).

• Launched, with the help of Camp Fire staff, the three proposed teen programs and facilitated at least 3 sessions/events for participating youth.

• Documented a sustainability plan including the creation of a job description for future program leaders, budgeting recommendations, and additional lesson plans for the program 

IMPACT

Jess worked with 9 youth on the Youth Advisory Board, 3 youth on the Child Care Apprenticeship, and 33 youth during teen leadership weekends.

Kimberly “Kim” Paredes with Fiver Children’s Foundation

SUMMARY

Kim worked as a Curriculum Development Fellow fellow with Fiver Children's Foundation. Fiver provides experiences that challenge and build relationships that nurture so that youth from systemically under-resourced communities in New York can create positive futures. There, Kim provided a unique perspective on curriculum and programming that would benefit Fiver’s summer overnight camp.

OVERVIEW

• Created templates for planning Sunday Fundays, and Battle of the Units.

• Researched and developed plans for events based on prior programing and participant interests. 

• Developed 3  Sunday Funday plans and 3  Battle of the Unit plans

• Evaluation Plan (short survey so staff can evaluate the success of the events; including a question about how the theme day highlighted Fiver's equity principles)

IMPACT

Kim’s programs will benefit about 388 children, ages 8- 18 during Fivers overnight camp. Her outlines will also give camp leaders clear guidelines for programming ahead of executing them for students.

Keiwana “Keke” Grant-Floyd with Press Pass NYC

SUMMARY

Keke worked as a Journalism Program Fellow with Press Pass NYC. Press Pass NYC amplifies student voices and inspireS civic leadership through school journalism--specifically by helping schools start and sustain student newspaper programs. There, Keke worked on developing curriculum for and executing a Youth Journalism boot camp to prepare students to assume leadership roles on the school newspaper staff.  

OVERVIEW

• Worked in collaboration with Press Pass’ Director, Student Advisory Committee and partner organizations, to plan and supervise a free student newspaper editor boot camp

• Developed an additional week of boot camp activities onto the existing  "Clarify" youth journalism internship program

• Collaborated with the Student Advisory Committee on project planning and design (creating curriculum and program outline; publicity and outreach)

• Collaborated with the Executive Director on project logistics and strategic partnerships and planning (event scheduling, planning and budgeting)

• Surveyed participants and facilitators for recommendations on programming

IMPACT

Press Pass NYC partners with 23 underserved NYC public schools, Keke worked with 11 youth fellows looking to be leaders of their school newspapers and build better school newspapers.

Ariel Clarke with South Queens Women’s March

SUMMARY

Ariel worked as a Youth Civic Engagement Fellow with South Queens Women’s March. South Queens Women’s March amplifies the voices of South Queens’ diverse women. There, Ariel supported in bringing youth to vote in the citywide participatory budgeting process, The People’s Money. She conducted immersive outreach into schools, street/table canvassing, community partners, and attending community fairs/events. Ariel also worked to execute Rise Up: A Summer Civic Leadership program that supported local youth in developing leadership skills and connecting with their community. 

OVERVIEW

• Co-developed a curriculum for the summer civic leadership program

• Staffed the Summer Civic Leadership program

• Developed evaluation tools and metrics for the Summer Civic Leadership program

• Targeted outreach to 2,000+ youth for participatory budgeting voting process

• Participated in community programs to conduct direct outreach and canvassing and developed metrics to that end 

IMPACT

Ariel reached over 1500+ youth for The People’s Money vote. Additionally in the Rise Up: A Summer Civic Leadership program, 11 - 15 youth participants were impacted by the program.

Zaymira Gaspard with Liberated Success

SUMMARY

Zaymira worked as a Curriculum and Program Management Fellow with Liberated Success. Liberated Success nurtures Black young adults in their transition from high school to careers so they may have a life full of choice and joy. There, Zaymira provided a unique perspective and helped to organize existing and new curricula for expansion to more schools in the fall. This gave additional staff easier access to the curriculum. She also established a framework for ongoing social media content creation and engagement to sustain interest and increase awareness among students and parents about Liberated Success program offerings. Zaymira was offered a full-time role with Liberated Success following her fellowship term, where she now serves as their College and Career Coordinator.

OVERVIEW

• Updated decks with more creativity and culturally relevant images and activities.

• Created social media assets for Instagram and TikTok around our HBCU Tours and SAT program.

• Developed a compelling social media strategy focused on Instagram and TikTok platforms.

• Designed informative and visually appealing social media content to promote the SAT program, HBCU tours, and the organization overall.

• Organized the existing career development workshop curriculum into a centralized location accessible by additional and future staff.

• Prepared the curriculum for seamless expansion to multiple schools in the upcoming fall term, by transferring them to a CRM platform.

IMPACT

Zaymira’s work impacted all Liberated Success youth participants.

Jenna Picciano with Start Lighthouse

SUMMARY

Jenna worked as a Literacy Program Fellow fellow with Start Lighthouse. Start Lighthouse addresses the literacy crisis in the South Bronx with a three-pronged approach to create compelling, rewarding reading experiences for children and families. There, Jenna provided invaluable support to the launch of multiple projects including planning and executing a fundraising gala. 

OVERVIEW

• Supported the Literary Adventures’ program logistics

• Managed Start Lighthouse’s library (conducted research and managed review copies)

• Supported the Executive Director with data collection by distributing and analyzing surveys to gather data about programs

• Secured an event venue, caterer, and silent auction items, pro-bono for the gala 

• Spearheaded the Young Professionals Council (YPC), composed of 14 leaders, to aid in the realization of the fundraiser 

• Developed a communication plan to boost ticket sales through social media posts, celebrity endorsements, and personalized outreach to key stakeholders

• Supporting the launch of the new Literacy Hub

IMPACT

Jenna impacted 900 students through the preparation, creation, and implementation of programming materials and workshops through our Literacy Hubs

Nicole Moncada with Navigate the Maze to Achievement

SUMMARY

Nicole worked as a Program Development Fellow with Navigate the Maze to Achievement. Navigate the Maze to Achievement prepares talented and highly motivated Black and Latino students for the specialized and selective high school admissions process and supports the students academically and socially while in high school. There, Nicole designed a comprehensive curriculum, outlining holistic support resources for students and their families, and collecting data on New York's top gifted and talented middle schools.

OVERVIEW

• Collaborated with the Executive Director

• Designed a program and curriculum for gifted 3rd and 4th graders

• Maximized the in-class experience for students dedicated to developing holistic resources for families,

• Developed extensive literacy program 

IMPACT

Nicole's work directly impacted 180+ youth.

Katie Giovale with South Bronx United

SUMMARY

Katie worked as a Workforce Development Fellow with South Bronx United. SBU strives to promote educational achievement, health and wellness, and character development through activities on and off the soccer field and to unite a diverse group of individuals and an incredibly diverse community toward common positive goals. There, Katie assisted in executing the very first iteration of the Workforce development program. She supported participants throughout the program by communicating program logistics, contributing to individual and group feedback sessions, and providing guidance for program participants as required. Katie was offered a full-time role with SBU following her fellowship term, where she now serves as their College Success Coordinator.

OVERVIEW

• Created a method of tracking completed fellowship coursework (employment skills, customer services, and leadership training).

• Assisted with recruiting qualified candidates by participating in community outreach, coordinating and participating in interviews, compiling applicant documents, and coordinating candidate screenings.

• Supported participants through the job placement process by assisting with interviews, resumes, and accessing technology

• Coordinated the logistics of program-related events 

• Conducted program observations 

IMPACT

Katie worked with 12 participants ages 16-21. This program will continue to grant the same training and experience for future young adults taking on 10-20 new participants every 6-months.

Carina Keokham with Can Play

SUMMARY

Carina worked with Can Play as a special events fellow. Can Play delivers adaptive and no-cost sports-based development programs for underserved youth, creating the opportunity for everybody to play despite their financial, physical, cognitive, emotional or chronic health care barriers to participation. Carina assisted the organization’s co-founders and fundraising event committees in the execution of several events including Game for Good, Jeans, Jackets and Jams, and Courage on the Court. She communicated with a variety of stakeholders before, during and after the event to ensure a fun and professional experience for participants, donors and sponsors. She also developed a range of marketing materials in support of the events. 

OVERVIEW

• Supported with four major fundraising events  (Game for Good, Jeans, Jackets, and Jams, Giving Tuesday, and Give Play) including creating marketing materials and strategy, managing a silent auction, managing a raffle, creating presentations and graphics, communicating with stakeholders, preparing materials, and a variety of other planning tasks.

• Improved and developed Can Play’s social media branding, marketing materials and campaign strategies 

• Communicated with a variety of stakeholders before, during and after the events

• Provided fresh and new ideas to improve upon existing traditions and events

IMPACT

Carina’s work was instrumental in executing events that raised over $100,000 in support of Can Play’s mission.

Hasija Terzic with Can Play

SUMMARY

Hasija worked as a licensing program fellow with Can Play. Can Play delivers adaptive and no-cost sports-based development programs for underserved youth, creating the opportunity for everybody to play despite their financial, physical, cognitive, emotional or chronic health care barriers to participation. At Can Play, Hasija created licensing and marketing materials to support the expansion of their licensing program across Iowa and the greater Midwest.

OVERVIEW

• Ensured that all Opportunity and Courage licensing curricula was updated and reformatted to ensure consistency of presentation

• Developed a list of 250 potential non-profit, organizational or individual partners developed for licensing outreach

• Assisted the licensing program manager in establishing 20 licensed locations

• Measured and collected feedback from licensees with 75% response rate, developed multi-tier licensing offerings

IMPACT

With Hasija’s help, 20 licensed locations will be able to provide more than 250 unique individuals with the opportunity to play during this next year.

Aura Valdez with Start Lighthouse

SUMMARY

Aura worked as a programming fellow with Start Lighthouse. Start Lighthouse addresses the literacy crisis in the South Bronx with a three-pronged approach to create compelling, rewarding reading experiences for children and families. There, she provided critical support in helping launch the organization’s first Literacy Hub in what was once an abandoned school library. Aura served as a thought partner to the executive director, collected student data, created curriculum for student workshops, and developed daily programming, allowing her to connect with youth through literature. Her passion and commitment led leadership at Start Lighthouse to offer her a full-time position at the end of the fellowship, becoming a core member of the organization’s founding team.

OVERVIEW

• Facilitated student workshops with award winning children’s book authors and illustrators

• Tracked relevant student data to understand proficiency levels and student needs 

• Researched culturally relevant book titles and materials to support programmatic aims

• Developed engaging, developmentally appropriate curricula for students from pre-k to eighth grade 

• Created visual program materials using Canvas and Adobe Creative Suite

IMPACT

Aura worked with over 700 students, distributed over 1,200 books for students’ home libraries, facilitated over 20 workshops, and hosted 7 author and artist visits.

Sierra Cole with Navigate the Maze to Achievement

SUMMARY

Sierra worked as a strategic communications fellow with Navigate the Maze to Achievement (NTMA). Navigate the Maze to Achievement creates access to NYC specialized and selective high schools for high-performing, underrepresented students. Sierra assisted NTMA in creating and executing a communication plan to reach students, families, and supporters in the most effective ways. She launched NTMA’s social media presence and helped to create various communication templates.

OVERVIEW

• Helped to start NMTA’s social media presence on, Instagram and Facebook

• Created various templates for external communication

• Served as a thought partner to the executive director

IMPACT

Sierra’s work in external communications supported 180+ students and their families.

Brooke Ward with Road to Uni

Brooke Ward will serve as a Strategic Communications Fellow with Road to Uni this Fall.

Brooke currently resides in her hometown of Fort Gratiot, Michigan. She completed her M.A. in International Human Rights with specializations in Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Her academic research focused on the connections between gender-based violence before, during, and after conflict. In addition, she holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Grand Valley State University. Brooke hopes to apply her research findings through community-level outreach and advocacy related to domestic violence and sexual assault. She enjoys traveling, playing with her nephew and nieces, and cuddling her dogs. She also enjoys teaching English as a Second Language and supports organizations increasing access to education like Road to Uni, the fellowship organization she will be working with this fall. She looks forward to working as a Strategic Communications Associate and helping students with the college application process.