Table of Contents
Edu-Futuro Students Visit Virginia Tech Campus
Spring2ACTion Campaign Raises Funds For Edu-Futuro Youth Programs
Two Student Journeys: Testimonies from Our Gala
GED Students Celebrate Social Studies Graduation
We Welcome Joy Harvey to New Role As AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
AmeriCorps/VISTA Corner – France Tomgambo-Kaye
Edu-Futuro Students Visit Virginia Tech Campus
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, two buses filled with nearly 100 high school students, parents, and Edu-Futuro staff made the 4-hour trip to Blacksburg, Virginia for a very special visit to the campus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, much better known as Virginia Tech. The trip provided participants of Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program, Part I (ELP-I) with a unique opportunity to experience college life, and to expand their vision of the possibilities that exist for their academic futures.
The day at the Virginia Tech campus began at the Admissions Office, where students received valuable insights into the college application process. From there, the group visited and learned about the history of such well-known campus buildings as Hitt Hall, Williams Hall, Burruss Hall, The Pylons, The Bridge, Owens Food Court, and Dietrick Hall, where the students enjoyed lunch. Throughout the tour, students learned about Virginia Tech’s diverse academic offerings, the nearly 200-year legacy of the institution’s educational excellence, and the pathways to success available to Virginia Tech students.
The campus visit deeply impacted our students and parents. Rosa, the parent of a student attending Annandale High School shared: “Thanks for the trip, and for taking care of the kids. My daughter says the trip was a complete success, and that she loved her first experience visiting a college campus.” David, a student from Marshall High School, was particularly impressed with the college environment: “My favorite part of the tour was seeing how big and nice the campus was. I really liked the way the buildings looked, and I really liked the food court area. The food was so good.” For Vihaan, another student from Marshall High School, the visit held special significance: “My favorite part was that I was able to visit my dream college,” he said
P.J. Edmondson, Edu-Futuro’s Youth Programs Specialist, accompanied the students to Virginia Tech and emphasized the importance of the college visit: “The college tour is an essential part of the ELP-I program. The experience shows students things that are available to them that they might not have thought possible. All of us felt that the trip was a complete success. From the efficiency of the buses and punctuality of all the students, to seeing so many of our participants light up with the revelation of new possibilities.”
Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program continues to open doors for students through experiences like the Virginia Tech campus tour. For more information about the program and upcoming opportunities, please contact Susana Carpio, Youth Programs Team Lead, at youthprograms@edu-futuro.org. Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is supported in part by a grant from the Verizon Foundation.
Spring2ACTion Campaign Raises Funds For Edu-Futuro Youth Programs
This April, Edu-Futuro proudly participated in Alexandria’s annual Spring2ACTion fundraising campaign presented by ACT for Alexandria. We are thrilled to announce that we surpassed our goal of $5,000, raising a total of $5,100 to support our Emerging Leaders Program for youth.
Spring2ACTion is Alexandria’s premier annual city-wide giving event, uniting community members in support of local nonprofit organizations. This year marked the campaign’s 15th anniversary, and thanks to the strong support from generous individual donors, Spring2ACTion has already raised more than $23 million for the nonprofit sector.
This year, one of the highlights of the Spring2ACTion campaign was the Nonprofit Village held in conjunction with the ALX Dog Walk, a well-known annual Alexandria fundraising event that brings together more than 2,000 participants who take their dogs on a two-mile walk ending in beautiful Oronoco Park right next to the Potomac River. On Saturday, April 5, the AXL Dog Walk festivities included a sizable Nonprofit Village, a space in the park where local organizations working to help the community had the opportunity to display information materials, talk about their work, and raise funds for their Spring2ACTion campaigns.
Edu-Futuro’s Massiel Morales, Jorge Manzanera, and Zach Hoskins represented the organization in the Nonprofit Village. “Participating in this event for the first time reminded me of the power of local action, and how real lasting change begins when we advocate directly, one person at a time,” said Massiel, our Development VISTA. “It only takes one person to believe in the organization’s mission to help it grow. Many attendees at the dog walk were learning about Edu-Futuro for the first time, and several expressed interest in volunteering or getting involved. It was a great reminder that community outreach has a ripple effect that goes beyond just one day. We plan to attend every year moving forward to continue growing our presence and impact.”
Thank you to everyone who supported our Spring2ACTion Campaign! Your generosity makes our work possible, and we look forward to sharing the impact of your contributions in the months ahead. For more information about Edu-Futuro’s Development Department, please contact Zachary Hoskins, Director of Development, at directorofdevelopment@edu-futuro.org.
Two Student Journeys: Testimonies from Our Gala
Attendees to Edu-Futuro’s 27th Anniversary Gala, held on Friday, March 21, 2025, had the fortunate opportunity to hear impactful testimonies from our students and parents. Here are the stories of two student journeys shared during the event.
Amy Fernández García is a high school senior at Falls Church High School in Fairfax County, who has been accepted to Grinnell College with a full ride scholarship, as well as to DePaul University, Drexel University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, UVA Wise, James Madison University, and George Mason University. In total, Amy has been offered approximately $636,516 in scholarships and financial aid. She plans to attend George Mason University, where she will major in Cybersecurity.
“Edu-Futuro has been more than just a college preparation program for me, it has been a community, a support system, and a source of inspiration. Since my sophomore year, I have been involved with the Emerging Leaders Program, returning each year because of the invaluable lessons, connections, and scholarship opportunities I gained through the experience.
As a high school senior, the ELP-II program became crucial in my college application process, as well as my plans for both college and beyond. My mentor, Anthony, played a significant role in guiding me through this journey with his support and advice. Starting at the beginning of my senior year, he emphasized the value of gaining experience and building a strong network, while also helping me polish my resume. One piece of advice that has stuck with me is the importance of gaining hands-on experience through internships, which is why I applied for a cybersecurity internship this summer. I am currently waiting for the decision on my acceptance to be released.
Beyond career preparation, Anthony also helped me refine my college essays. His guidance, along with the support of Edu-Futuro, gave me the confidence to apply to 29 colleges and 48 scholarships, among them QuestBridge partner schools.
I’m thrilled to share that I have been accepted to Grinnell College with a full-ride scholarship! Additionally, I have received acceptances from DePaul University, Drexel University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, UVA Wise, James Madison University, and George Mason University. In total, through private and merit-based scholarships, I have been awarded a total of $636,516 in financial aid. Thanks to Edu-Futuro’s support, I am able to attend George Mason University at zero cost. GMU stood out to me not only because of its strong cybersecurity program and emphasis on career readiness, but also because of its proximity to top internships and networking opportunities in my field.
My goal is to become a cybersecurity professional or software engineer, and I know that with the foundation I have built through Edu-Futuro, I am well on my way. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Edu-Futuro, my mentor, and everyone who has supported me along the way. Your guidance has been life-changing, and I hope to one day give back to students just like me.”
Kayla Park Hernández is a high school senior at Wakefield High School in Arlington County, who has been accepted to six universities and is waiting to make her decision until she hears back from every university where she applied. Kayla was also a winner of the Kaiser Permanente Edu-Futuro Research Assistantship.
“My name is Kayla Park Hernández, and I am a senior at Wakefield High School. I am also a proud participant in Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program, a program that has truly transformed my life.
I was born and raised in Matamoros, Mexico, a border town with the United States. I grew up in a humble home with two incredible women, my mother and grandmother, who taught me strength, resilience, and the value of hard work. My mother only made it to second grade, which made my education harder, but I dreamt of more. It was not until I was 12 years old that my father invited me for the first time to visit my grandparents in the U.S. I made the life changing decision to make the trip. It was my first time here, and when I arrived, I saw a place full of opportunities, a place where my biggest dream of getting a higher education could become a reality. But pursuing that dream meant making one of the hardest decisions of my life: leaving behind everything I had ever known to build a future in a new country, thousands of miles from home.
Starting over wasn’t easy. I had to learn English, adapt to a completely new culture, and navigate an unfamiliar school system. But I refused to let those challenges define me. I pushed myself, joined sports, took on leadership roles in clubs, and worked hard in school. Yet, when senior year arrived, I faced another overwhelming challenge — the college application process. I had no idea where to start. That’s when I found Edu-Futuro.
Edu-Futuro became my guide. Through the ELP-II program, I was paired with a mentor who not only helped me with my college applications, but also believed in me. She worked with me on my essays, helped me find scholarships, and introduced me to resources I didn’t even know existed. One of those opportunities was the Kaiser Permanente Edu-Futuro Research Assistantship, where I earned first place and a $200 award. This project allowed me to explore my passion for healthcare and develop a proposal to help low-income immigrants enter the medical field. Thanks to my mentor, I stayed on top of deadlines, remained organized, and gained the confidence to pursue my goals.
But Edu-Futuro did more than just help me with college. It gave me a voice. Through this program, I had the incredible opportunity to meet with representatives and senators on Capitol Hill, and to let them know about our concerns in the Latino community. That experience changed my perspective, fueling my passion for leadership and justice. Today, I stand before you as a student who has applied to 16 universities, with six acceptances so far, and four waitlists pending. I have received significant financial aid offers, including one as high as $40,000!
Edu-Futuro does more than prepare students for college, it prepares us for life. I would like to tell all the students here today: take advantage of everything this program offers. They care about you, and they will help you succeed. And to the donors and supporters in this room: you are changing lives. Your investment in the program is opening doors, creating leaders, and helping students like me turn dreams into reality. Because of Edu-Futuro, I now have the confidence, the resources, and the opportunity to pursue my goals. And one day, I hope to give back to my community, just as Edu-Futuro has given to me.”
For more information on Edu-Futuro’s programs, please contact Dulce Oliveros, Edu-Futuro’s Manager of Programs, at managerofprograms@edu-futuro.org.
GED Students Celebrate Social Studies Graduation
Edu-Futuro’s GED Certification Program is a comprehensive, year-long course that helps student participants earn the equivalent of a high school diploma through four quarterly modules: Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Sciences. Launched in 2023 as one of our most important Workforce Development Services (WDS), our GED Certification Program is proud to announce that 25 of our students have passed the recently conducted GED Social Studies exam. The hard work and dedication of our participants was recognized in a graduation ceremony held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in which the students were awarded scholarships that covered the cost of the official Social Studies exam, as well as a practice test, and access to additional resources through Essential Education, a website specializing in the production and sale of a wide variety of workbooks designed specifically for adult educators and students.
“The GED Certification Program continues to significantly empower our community through academic growth. We are very proud to see our students develop comprehensively, strengthening their path towards a more promising social and economic future,” said Mildrek Bastidas, Edu-Futuro’s GED Instructor & Workforce Development Specialist. “Our students consistently express enthusiasm and satisfaction with the program, with many eagerly continuing their education journey with us. Their dedication to learning despite busy schedules and various responsibilities is truly inspiring.”
The commitment demonstrated by our GED students is impressive. Classes met virtually three times per week, while additional group and individual mentorship sessions are conducted four times each week.
“The great majority of our GED students are parents who are determined to continue their education, and improve their chances of finding a better job,” said Edu-Futuro Executive Director, Jorge Figueredo. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments, especially in light of the many challenges they face in keeping up their GED studies while working and taking care of their families.”
Edu-Futuro’s GED Certification Program is completely free and open to all students who want to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. For more information on the program, please contact Joceline Briceño, Edu-Futuro’s Workforce Development Services Team Lead, at workforce@edu-futuro.org.
Welcome Joy Harvey to New Role As AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
Edu-Futuro is proud to introduce Joy Harvey in her new role as Edu-Futuro’s AmeriCorps Program Coordinator. Joy initially joined Edu-Futuro as the inaugural VISTA Team Leader for the first cohort of AmeriCorps VISTAS.
With over 10 years of experience as a nonprofit professional, Joy has driven social impact through strategic leadership, program development, and community engagement. Passionate about advancing equity and empowering underserved populations, she has dedicated her career to building strong, sustainable organizations that create meaningful change.
As the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator at Edu-Futuro, Joy oversees all aspects of the AmeriCorps program, including recruiting, training, and ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and long-term vision. Joy holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, and brings a data-informed, people-centered approach to solving complex social issues. She firmly believes in the power of collaboration, and has worked closely with community leaders, donors, and government agencies to develop scalable and sustainable initiatives.
“I’m incredibly excited to step into the role of AmeriCorps Coordinator at Edu-Futuro,” says Joy. “It’s an honor to support such a passionate team and empower emerging leaders who make a real difference in our communities. I look forward to building strong relationships, fostering service, and contributing to Edu-Futuro’s powerful mission of educational equity and opportunity.”
For more information about Joy and Edu-Futuro’s AmeriCorps State and VISTA program, please contact americorps@edu-futuro.org.
AmeriCorps/VISTA Corner – France Tomgambo-Kaye
This year, Edu-Futuro has been receiving the invaluable help of AmeriCorps VISTA members and members of AmeriCorps State. The AmeriCorps VISTA members play a critical role in a variety of capacity building projects, including the updating of our beneficiary database, conducting research on funding opportunities, and development of brand-new curricula for students and parents. The member of AmeriCorps State play a critical role in the lives of our students and parents by serving as facilitators in the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) and Workforce Development Services (WDS). This is our corner to highlight the great work being done by Edu-Futuro’s VISTAS and AmeriCorps members. Today we feature AmeriCorps member, France Tomgambo-Kaye.
“Hello! My name is France, and I grew up here, in the D.C. area having lived in both Virginia and Maryland. I graduated from the University of Miami in May of 2024 with a B.S in Global Health Studies and minors in Chemistry, Spanish, and International Studies. I am also on the Pre-Medical track, and hope to become a medical doctor. My goal is to work as a global health practitioner to mitigate international health disparities. I am really excited as I have recently started working here with Edu-Futuro and throughout my time here, I really look forward to learning more about the community and youth needs in the Northern Virginia area. I hope to gain more confidence and more skills as it pertains to community outreach and education.
Here at Edu-Futuro, I have had the pleasure of working as a Facilitator for the Middle School Pre-ELP program. It has been such a fun and learning experience — watching the students grow and reflect has been really great to see. In the future, I look forward to working more with this middle school program, and helping more students develop their inner leader.”
For more information on Edu-Futuro’s AmeriCorps VISTA program, please contact Dante Calfayan, our VISTA Team Leader, at vistaleader@edu-futuro.org. For more information on Edu-Futuro’s AmeriCorps State program, please contact Susana Carpio, Youth Program Team Lead, at susanacarpio@edu-futuro.org.
Financial Tip
Retirement: Learn About Social Security and Medicare
Social Security — Choosing when to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision. The month you choose to start receiving benefits could mean higher benefit payments for you and your family. You can receive Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, your benefit will be about 30 percent lower than it would be if you waited until your full retirement age. If you choose to start receiving benefits when you reach full retirement age, you will receive your full benefit amount. If you wait to apply for benefits after you reach full retirement age, you will earn credits that increase your monthly benefit by about eight percent for each year you delay applying, up to age 70. However, once you turn 70, you should apply for the benefits owed to you, because your benefits will not increase if you continue to delay them.
Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, your full retirement age increases gradually by a few months until it reaches age 67 for people born in 1960 and later.
If you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age and continue to work, your income will be subject to the retirement earnings test. This means your benefits could be reduced if your earnings exceed a certain limit. However, once you reach full retirement age, your monthly benefit will be recomputed to give you credit for months you did not receive a payment because of your earnings. The retirement earnings test no longer applies once you reach your full retirement age and your benefit will not be reduced no matter how much you earn. Once you start receiving benefits, your payments will be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost-of-living or earnings that may increase your benefit amount.
Medicare – Parts A & B — If you’re already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits before you turn 65, you’ll automatically get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your 65th birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month. Medicare will mail you a Medicare card and general information before the date you become eligible.
People under 65 with certain disabilities who’ve been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months are enrolled in Medicare automatically. People of any age who have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) also qualify for Medicare, but must file an application to enroll.
In most cases, you usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy Part A. Medicare Part B is a voluntary program that will normally require you to pay a monthly premium. If you get automatically enrolled and don’t want to keep Part B, you must follow the directions when you get your Medicare card to let Social Security know that you don’t want it. Otherwise, keep your card and you’ll be charged the Part B premium.
If you aren’t receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits by age 65 and you want to enroll in Medicare, you should contact Social Security and sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). In most cases, this is the seven-month period that starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. If you don’t enroll during your IEP you can enroll during the Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP), or during the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP).
You can choose how you get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways to get Medicare — Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C).
Original Medicare
- Coverage includes Part A and Part B.
- You can join a separate Medicare drug plan to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C)
- A Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.
- Part D is Medicare drug coverage. It’s an optional benefit available to all people with Medicare. If you sign up for Original Medicare and you want drug coverage, you must join a Medicare drug plan (also known as PDPs). You usually pay a monthly premium for the drug plan.
- You can get Part D through Medicare drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with drug coverage (also known as MA-PDs).
Note: These eligibility rules are general and apply to people who are nearing their 65th birthday. Visit Medicare’s website to learn about eligibility rules for other situations.
Health & Wellness
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids: Create the First Tobacco-Free Generation
Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products – including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars – is critical to preventing youth tobacco use and creating the first tobacco-free generation. There is a growing movement by policymakers at all levels to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products. The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting kids with flavored products, and the evidence is clear that flavors play a key role in youth initiation and continued use of tobacco products. Flavors improve the taste and mask the harshness of tobacco products, making it easier for kids to try these products and ultimately become addicted.
YOUTH E-CIGARETTE USE
Flavored products have made e-cigarettes the most popular tobacco product among youth, addicting a generation of kids and threatening to reverse the decades-long progress our nation has made in reducing youth tobacco use. According to the latest data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 7.8% of high school students and 3.5% of middle school students – over 1.6 million kids altogether – were current e-cigarette users. The latest data also shows the following:
- Kids aren’t just experimenting with e-cigarettes. Many are using these products most days or every day, a sure sign they’re becoming addicted. Over 40% of high school e-cigarette users are vaping at least 20 days a month and nearly 30% are daily users. In total, 430,000 middle and high school students are vaping every single day.
- Flavored products are driving this epidemic. In fact, nearly 90% of youth e-cigarette users use flavored products.
- In the past few years, kids have shifted dramatically to disposable and menthol e-cigarettes, two categories of products that were left on the market under current federal restrictions. These shifts show that the only way to end this crisis is to eliminate all flavored e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes pose serious risks to the health of young people. The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that youth use of nicotine in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, particularly the parts of the brain responsible for attention, memory and learning. The Surgeon General also found that using nicotine in adolescence can increase risk of future addiction to other drugs. In addition, studies have found that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become smokers, and many are low-risk youth who would not have otherwise smoked cigarettes.
E-cigarettes deliver massive doses of nicotine, putting youth users at greater risk of addiction. Today’s e-cigarettes can contain as much or more nicotine as 200 cigarettes.
MENTHOL CIGARETTES TARGET YOUTH, AFRICAN AMERICANS
There is also more than enough evidence to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. Menthol cools and numbs the throat and reduces the harshness of tobacco smoke, making menthol cigarettes more appealing for kids who are starting to smoke. Half of youth who have ever smoked started with menthol cigarettes. A comprehensive FDA scientific analysis, issued in 2013, concluded that menthol cigarettes 1) increase smoking initiation and progression to regular smoking among youth and young adults; 2) increase nicotine dependence (addiction); and 3) reduce success in quitting smoking.
For decades, the tobacco industry has targeted kids, Black Americans and other groups with marketing for menthol cigarettes, and the impact has been devastating, especially on the health of Black Americans. In the 1950s, less than 10% of Black smokers used menthol cigarettes. Today, 88% of Black smokers smoke menthols. Today, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death among Black Americans. It claims 50,000 Black lives each year.
Black Americans die at higher rates than other groups from tobacco-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. And lung cancer kills more Black Americans than any other type of cancer. From 1980 to 2018, menthol cigarettes were responsible for 1.5 million extra smokers, 157,000 smoking-related premature deaths and 1.5 million excess life-years lost in the African American community.
Ending the sale of menthol cigarettes isn’t just a health issue, it’s a social justice issue. It will stop the tobacco industry’s predatory marketing and save lives, especially Black lives. Researchers estimate that ending the sale of menthol cigarettes in the United States would prevent over 650,000 deaths, including over 255,000 in the Black community, over time.
For more information, please visit the website for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, at https://www.tobaccofreekids.org. For a copy of “Health Taxes,” please click on this link. Edu-Futuro’s Strengthening Families 10-14 Program, which helps teens to reduce such risky behaviors as tobacco use and vaping, is sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY), empowering Virginia’s youth to make healthy choices by promoting active, nutritious and tobacco-free living.