Table of Contents
Jorge Figueredo Marks 10th Year As Edu-Futuro’s Executive Director
Parents and Students: Get ready for Edu-Family!
Edu-Futuro Celebrates Graduation for ELP-I and ELP-II Students
AmeriCorps/VISTA Corner — César Fernández
Jorge Figueredo Marks 10th Year As Edu-Futuro’s Executive Director
The month of May 2025 marked a significant milestone in the history of Edu-Futuro as we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Jorge Figueredo’s tenure as our Executive Director. Over the past decade, Jorge’s leadership has profoundly transformed the work of Edu-Futuro, expanding the reach of our services, and deepening our impact on low-income, immigrant, and Latino communities throughout Northern Virginia. When Jorge began working at Edu-Futuro in 2015, we counted on the support of two full-time employees and three full-time AmeriCorps volunteers on loan from the Arlington Public Schools. At the time, Edu-Futuro served a total of 145 students, all in Arlington County. Today, we are very proud to report that during the past twelve months, Edu-Futuro’s 30 full-time team members and 20 AmeriCorps volunteers have served approximately 5,280 children, students, and parents in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Alexandria — a new service record for our organization.
From the beginning of Edu-Futuro in 1998, the work of the organization was focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through the power of education. When Jorge began his tenure in May of 2015, however, he quickly realized that students could not thrive academically without stable and supportive home environments. As a result, Edu-Futuro solidified our Two-Generation service model, which strives to help youth build a path to college, while at the same time, providing their parents with services aimed at improving family communication and increasing household income.
After the reinforcement of our Two-Generation service model, Edu-Futuro began adding a series of new programs that have proven to be extremely popular with both students and parents. On the youth side, we expanded our existing Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) by creating such specialized workshops as ELP STEM/Robotics and Pre-ELP Social and Emotional Learning for middle school students. Our high school youth were offered ELP-I for leadership and career exploration, ELP-II, which provides year-long college readiness mentorship to seniors, as well as ELP-III, which guides college students through their first two years of postsecondary education. The results have been truly life-changing. In the past five years, the 292 high school seniors who have graduated from ELP-II were collectively offered over $35 million in scholarships and financial aid for their four-year education.
“Education is the foundation of opportunity; it empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty, to dream beyond mere survival, and to shape their own futures,” said Jorge. “For immigrant families, education is not just about academics; it is about integration, empowerment, and long-term stability. At Edu-Futuro, we see how access to quality education changes the trajectory of entire families. It equips youth with the confidence and tools to lead, and it helps parents become advocates for their children and active participants in their communities.”
For parents, Jorge’s leadership brought the creation of Edu-Futuro’s Workforce Development Services, which offers Tech for Parents, our computer/smartphone literacy training program, as well as our popular Resume & Cover Letter Workshops. Our Parent Empowerment Services added several workshop courses aimed at improving the home life of students, including Participate in My Education, Committed Parents, Strengthening Families, and Families Reunite. In response to the massive impact of the COVID pandemic on the immigrant community, we significantly expanded our Case Management Services in 2020. As a result of this effort, Edu-Futuro became one of the largest providers of financial aid to immigrant families in the Washington region, stabilizing nearly 2,000 households and disbursing approximately $3 million for rent, food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
Despite the many difficult challenges that have faced Northern Virginia’s immigrant community during the past ten years, our constant at Edu-Futuro has been the leadership of Jorge E. Figueredo. “My commitment to public service is deeply personal,” he said. “As an immigrant myself, I understand firsthand the barriers that many families face when arriving in a new country — language barriers, limited access to resources, and navigating unfamiliar systems. I chose public service because I believe in building bridges where others see walls. It is incredibly fulfilling to use my experience to help others achieve stability, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. Every success story reminds me why this work is so important.”
Before joining Edu-Futuro, Jorge had already proven his leadership and organizational development skills. From 2000 to 2005 he led the pioneering Hispanic Committee of Virginia, one of the first nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the needs of immigrant families in Virginia. His entrepreneurial vision led him to conceptualize and co-found Security One Bank (now known as John Marshall Bank) with thirteen other founding members. Jorge also served as Director of the ACLU of Virginia’s Racial Justice and Immigrants’ Rights Project, where he championed civil liberties and fought to protect the rights of vulnerable families and workers. A native of Colombia, Jorge earned his bachelor’s degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, and his master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland at College Park. Additionally, Jorge has a Certificate in Bank Management from the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia, and an Executive Certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School.
Through the years, Jorge’s respect and admiration for immigrant families has only increased. “I have witnessed extraordinary resilience in the immigrant community,” he said. “Families who work multiple jobs while supporting their children’s education, youth who overcome trauma and displacement to graduate at the top of their class, and parents who learn a new language in their 40s or 50s to better support their children. The determination to not just survive, but to build a better life, is inspiring. What I have learned is that when immigrant families are given access to the right tools and opportunities, and are taught how to use them, they don’t just succeed; they lead.”
Edu-Futuro staff and the thousands of families served through our services are extremely grateful to Jorge for his exceptional leadership and vision. His decade of service at Edu-Futuro has not only strengthened the organization, but has opened new worlds of opportunity for countless students and parents. On the 10th anniversary of Jorge joining our organization, we say: ¡Felicidades! Y muchísimas gracias por tu trabajo, compromiso y determinación para ayudar a nuestros jóvenes y a nuestras familias.
Parents and Students: Get ready for Edu-Family!
Edu-Futuro is pleased to invite you to Edu-Family 2025 — a fun and exciting day dedicated to learning that a college education is within reach of all Northern Virginia families. Now an annual tradition, Edu-Family will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Saturday, July 19, at George Mason University’s Johnson Building, located in the main Fairfax campus — 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Edu-Family offers parents, students, and children a unique opportunity to enjoy a series of workshops and activities designed especially for them. Last year, Edu-Family 2024 became one of the best-attended events in the 27-year history of Edu-Futuro, as more than 400 students, parents, volunteers, and staff joined us for a full day of educational activities in the Northern Virginia campus of Marymount University. Throughout the day, small groups of students participating in our Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) had the chance to rotate through different learning stations and career panels designed to encourage high school graduation, college readiness and postsecondary enrollment. Younger students took part in the fun and dynamic robotics games prepared by our staff. Parents were also an integral part of Edu-Family 2024, participating in training sessions focused on providing information on the availability of scholarships and financial aid, the importance of community college, and how to budget and manage the cost of a college education.
At Edu-Family 2025, all our students and parents will be given a guided tour of the George Mason campus, which is located within 677 wooded acres, and is home to an undergraduate student population of more than 6,000 students living in 40 residence halls on campus. If you are a parent, please register for Edu-Family 2025 at https://bit.ly/PESbootcamp2025, and if you are a student, please register at http://bit.ly/ELPbootcamp2025 or contact us via WhatsApp at 571-309-5455. Don’t forget to save the date and be sure to arrive on time to make the most of all the planned activities. We hope to see you and your family!
For more information about Edu-Family 2025, you can also contact Dulce Oliveros, Manager of Programs, at managerofprograms@edu-futuro.org.
Edu-Futuro Celebrates Graduation for ELP-I and ELP-II Students
ELP-I Graduation — On Saturday, May 30, 2025, Edu-Futuro held the Spring Graduation Ceremony for our Emerging Leaders Program, Part 1 (ELP-I) at Washington Liberty High School in Arlington, VA. The day of celebration featured a great moment of recognition for each and every one of our 137 outstanding participants as they walked across the Washington Liberty auditorium stage and heard their names called before receiving their graduation certificates. The Spring ELP-I graduation event ended with lunch for all the students and family members who traveled to from Fairfax County, Prince William County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. Throughout the six weeks of ELP-I college readiness workshop sessions, our students balanced work, school, clubs, sports, and family responsibilities to attend and complete the afterschool program.
“It has been a privilege to serve these remarkable young men and women,” said Edu-Futuro Youth Programs Specialist, Patrick Edmondson. “I feel encouraged and inspired by the next generation, their aspiration for success and dedication to family are something to be emulated. It was very rewarding to see their hard work celebrated at the graduation.”
An essential part of Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program, ELP-I is a six-week college readiness workshop series offered to youth in grades 9-11 three times per year, in the fall, spring, and summer. The goal of the program is to help students overcome the systemic barriers contributing to generational poverty by developing professional skills, demonstrating that college is a reachable goal, and building self-confidence to become leaders in their own communities. ELP-I students receive training on such topics as résumé preparation, job interviews, networking, financial literacy, and the college application process. Youth also participate in speech and essay competitions that offer thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes throughout the year. Annually, ELP-I serves more than 500 students in Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington, and Alexandria.
During the graduation ceremony, our Youth Programs staff and AmeriCorps State mentors announced the seventeen winners of our ELP-I college scholarships, along with the eleven winners of our ELP-1 speech competition. Congratulations to all our incredible winners, we are extremely proud of your accomplishments! The winners of the scholarship competition were:
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Annandale High School — Isabella Mercado.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Annandale High School — Giancarlos Parada.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Robinson Secondary School — Lia Rebeyro.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Robinson Secondary School — Avril Deza-Altahona.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Westfield High School — Nicol Pererira Torrico.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Centreville High School — Brenda Rosas Diego.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Marshall High School — Zara Khan.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Marshall High School — Elizabeth Yoo.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Justice High School — Luis Chávez.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Justice High School — Tasine Hasan Khan.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Oakton High School — Isabella Monroy.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Oakton High School — Qiya (Chloe) Shao.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Hayfield Secondary School — Amy Gómez Lovo.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Wakefield High School — Lucas Retzke.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Wakefield High School — Julián Roque Benitah.
- First place scholarship of $1,000 from Washington-Liberty High School — Rezwana Islam.
- Second place scholarship of $500 from Washington-Liberty High School — Vedica Chudiwale.
Also, congratulations to all the incredible winners of the speech competition! The winners were:
- First place prize of $100 from Annandale High School — Giancarlos Parada.
- Second place prize of $50 from Annandale High School — Emeli Gonzáles Rivas.
- First place prize of $100 from Centreville High School — Brenda Rosas.
- Second place prize of $50 from Centreville High School — Jason Hernández.
- First place prize of $100 from John Lewis High School — Ruth Ephrem.
- First place prize of $100 from Marshall High School — Zara Khan.
- Second place prize of $50 from Marshall High School — Praaveenya Maddineni.
- Second place prize of $50 from Justice High School — Diana Méndez Agustín.
- First place prize of $100 from Hayfield Secondary School — Amy Gómez Lovo.
- First place prize of $100 from Washington-Liberty High School — De’Quan Taylor.
- Second place prize of $50 from Washington-Liberty High School — Rezwana Islam.
ELP-II Graduation — Immediately following our ELP-I Graduation, Edu-Futuro celebrated another milestone moment as the Emerging Leaders Program, Part 2 (ELP-II) held its own graduation ceremony at Washington-Liberty High School. The event marked the completion of a year-long journey that has transformed the college preparation experience for 68 high school seniors from our service area of Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington, and Alexandria. With the help of our Edu-Futuro and AmeriCorps mentors, our ELP-II graduates have earned over $6 million in life-changing scholarships and financial aid in order to fulfill their dreams of a college education.
“Being a part of ELP-II for almost a year has made a meaningful impact on my journey through higher education,” said Allison Enríquez, an ELP-II graduate who is still attending Falls Church High School. “As a first-generation college student, I came into the process feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to begin, especially when it came to things like FASFA and navigating the college system. One of the biggest blessings from this program has been my mentor. Over time, we have built a stronger connection, and she has become someone I can turn to for guidance and encouragement. She sat with me and helped me complete parts of the FASFA I did not understand, which was a huge relief. Having someone to turn to, or who understands the challenges, and is willing to walk through them makes a world of difference. ELP not only provided support, but the program also helped me build confidence in my ability to succeed in college. It reminded me that I am not along on this journey, and that there are people rooting for me every step of the way.”
ELP-II creates powerful educational partnerships between our high school participants and the Edu-Futuro staff and AmeriCorps mentors who guide high school seniors for the full academic year. Throughout their time with ELP-II, students receive comprehensive support with the college enrollment, scholarship, and financial aid application processes. This year’s cohort participated in weekly mentoring sessions both virtually and in-person, ensuring that geographic barriers did not prevent our students from accessing the academic support they needed.
“Throughout my time in ELP-II, I felt nothing but support and encouragement. Although I was not accepted into my desired college, my mentor still offered me invaluable aid and advice,” said Kris López-Mejía, a high school senior attending Freedom High School. “As I begin my journey into NOVA — which will hopefully be followed by a transfer to William & Mary — I stride with more confidence than what I would have had if I were not part of the program. Additionally, I will forever be grateful for all the scholarship, financial aid, and career information that were offered through ELP-II. In particular, a January career workshop that I attended offered me vast information pertaining to my major, which is history. Ultimately, ELP-II was an incredible resource, and I hope to continue working with Edu-Futuro as a member of their program for college students, ELP-III.”
Edu-Futuro’s Youth Program Specialist, Xenia Rivas, who worked closely with Allison and Kris, reflected on the year. “As a mentor, you want to see your students grow in their education. What I didn’t realize was how much it would fill my heart to see their dedication to their work, and their excitement for when they realized how many opportunities they had to accomplish their dreams. I am very proud of everyone, and I cannot wait to see them take off in this new journey of their lives.”
All of us at Edu-Futuro would also like to congratulate a very special student — Keyla Park Hernández from Wakefield High School — who was awarded our first Keys to the Future of Technology Scholarship, a $1,000 prize given to a high school senior who has chosen to pursue a college degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). For more information about Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program, please contact Susana Carpio, Program 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.
Connecting with Edu-Futuro
Edu-Futuro would love to connect with you! Check us out on Facebook, X , Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on what we are up to as an organization. If you have questions or would like to get involved, please text our WhatsApp number at (571-309-5455). Our team will respond to inquiries within 48 hours.
AmeriCorps/VISTA Corner — César Fernández
This year, Edu-Futuro has been receiving the invaluable help of AmeriCorps State, as well as AmeriCorps VISTA members. Our cohort of AmeriCorps State members 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). Our AmeriCorps VISTA members work in a variety of key 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. This is our corner to highlight the great work being done by Edu-Futuro’s VISTAS and AmeriCorps members. Today we feature AmeriCorps member, César Fernández.
“Hello! My name is César Fernández, and I am thrilled to be part of the Edu-Futuro team as a facilitator for the organization’s Workforce Development Services, specifically in the Tech for Parents program. I was born and raised in Venezuela, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in law from the Catholic University of Tachira. I am passionate about empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Through Edu-Futuro’s vision and mission, I have seen firsthand the potential for growth and development in our community. The Tech for Parents program is an amazing initiative that bridges the gap for people who lack access to relevant information and skills. I am honored to be part of this effort, and to contribute to the organization’s goal of helping future generations thrive.”
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 Joceline Briceño, Workforce Development Team Lead, at workforce@edu-futuro.org.
Financial Tip
Don’t Fall for It — How to Defend Yourself from Romance Scams
Romance scams are one of the top five online scams in the U.S., so learn how to identify the red flags and defend yourself. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, romance scams, also known as relationship or confidence scams, reported over $650 million in losses in 2023.
How romance scams work — A scammer will contact you through a dating app, social media site, email, or text. They may use fake profiles, photos, and even AI-generated images to lure you into a relationship. They show what appears to be genuine interest in a friendship or romantic relationship to build your trust. Once they establish that trust, they ask you for money, information, or to make an investment. Some of the most common romance scams are:
- Imposter scams – Also known as “catfishing.” Scammers may impersonate celebrities, military personnel stationed overseas, students studying abroad, working professionals on travel assignment, or a foreign national interested in visiting the U.S. This person may seem too good to be true or profess love very quickly. They might use emotional stories to gain your sympathy, then ask for money for emergency expenses, medical bills, or other “essentials.”
- The long con – Compared to other romance scams, these scammers slowly build up and foster trust. Often, they are working more than one scam at the same time, so they might be vague or inconsistent about their personal details or background. They might even suggest meeting in person but then make excuses, so this never happens. The scammer will at some point steer the conversation toward investment-related topics where they will try to get you to invest or send them money for a “great opportunity.”
- Platonic scams – Not all relationship scams are romantic. Some scammers will try to become your best friend and a trusted confidant. Scammers target individuals seeking companionship, support, or shared interests. They look for you on social media platforms, online forums, or even gaming sites.
How to protect your heart and wallet:
- Do not respond to scammers. Scammers may use romance as a cover to obtain sensitive personal information, such as bank account details, passwords, or financial data. They can use this information to steal your identity or access your accounts. Ignore anyone contacting you that you don’t know. Do not share your personal information. Never click on any suspicious links or apps sent to you.
- Do your research. Look for the red flags. Once scammers gain your trust, they may introduce you to fake investment opportunities, promising high returns with little risk. They may use pressure tactics, fake testimonials, or evidence to convince you to invest. If they ask for payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer, it’s a scam. Verify all information, check credentials, and go directly to the official source, company, or website.
- Take your time. Scammers might pressure you to act quickly or make decisions without thinking. They might try to blackmail you after establishing a relationship, threatening to expose the relationship or share compromising photos unless you pay them. Ignore anyone who threatens you, offers a limited time offer, or tells you not to share information with others. Do not make any big financial decision for at least 24 hours.
Health & Wellness
FDA Seizes Nearly $34 Million of Illegal E-Cigarettes in Chicago
On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the seizure of nearly two million units of illegal e-cigarette products in Chicago, with an estimated retail value of $33.8 million. The seizures, which were part of a joint federal operation with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), serve as a stark warning to all parents that dangerous vaping products are being trafficked into the country in massive amounts by criminal organizations determined to take advantage of the increased use of e-cigarettes by teens and adults.
Previous FDA-CBP joint actions include the seizure of $18 million of illegal e-cigarettes at a cargo examination site in Los Angeles International Airport in 2023, seizure of $7 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes at a warehouse in Miami, and operations in Chicago announced in June and October of 2024 resulting in the seizure of illegal e-cigarettes valued at more than $77 million.
“These illegal products come in a huge assortment of kid-friendly flavors and contain massive doses of nicotine that can quickly addict kids,” said Yolonda Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, one of the nation’s foremost advocates for teen health. “The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that youth e-cigarette use remains a serious public health problem in the United States, with 1.6 million kids still using e-cigarettes. Nearly 90 percent of these youth report using flavored products. This joint federal enforcement action is an important step to crack down on illegal e-cigarette products that put kids at risk.”
During the operation in Chicago, the FDA-CBP joint team uncovered shipments of various illegal e-cigarette products, almost all of which originated in China and were intended for shipment throughout the U.S. In an apparent attempt to evade duties and the review of products for import safety concerns, the FDA-CBP team found several brands of unauthorized e-cigarettes, including Snoopy Smoke, Raz, and others.
“The FDA, working with our federal partners, can and will do more to stop the illegal importation and distribution of e-cigarette products in the United States,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Seizures of illegal e-cigarettes keep products that haven’t been authorized by the FDA out of the United States and out of the hands of our nation’s youth.”
In addition to product seizures, the FDA has issued over 750 warning letters to firms for manufacturing, selling, or distributing unauthorized new tobacco products. It has also issued more than 800 warning letters to retailers for selling these products and filed civil money penalty complaints against 87 manufacturers and over 175 retailers for their distribution or sale.
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.