Farther Foundation scholarship recipients are a dynamic group of individuals, daring to take a bold step beyond the familiar and becoming positive examples in their communities. Many of them have become involved in charitable efforts to bolster the communities where they traveled or where they live, work, or go to school.
The Go Farther Alumni Award is a grant awarded by Farther Foundation in the name of one of our students to a charitable project or organization of the alumnus’ choosing.
Farther Foundation is proud to support our alumni’s efforts to pay back or pay forward some of the generosity they have received.
For 2023, we have selected four alumni to receive our annual Alumni Award!
Hanan Ahmed was part of our 2013 cohort when she traveled on a cultural immersion program to Jordan. She has since earned a degree from Swarthmore College and now works for Google. Hanan has become an integral part of the team at Design FC, an organization that works with underrepresented school kids to engage their creative talents and show them paths forward in connecting them to their education and potential careers. Design FC’s founder tells us, “Hanan continues to be an invaluable supporter of Design FC, and her expertise and knowledge surrounding program operations, staff development, and strategic thinking have helped us take our organization to another level.”
Jocelyn Espitia was part of our 2023 cohort, so this year still a high school student. This past summer she was awarded a scholarship to participate in a college campus program at Brown University. Jocelyn’s Alumni Award will support Julia Center. Julia center provides welcome and support for immigrant families. Jocelyn dances with its Folklore Troupe and both she and her mother have participated in its programing. Jocelyn told us, “I grew up in the care and love offered in Julia Center's environment. The people who attend have become a second family. To this day, Julia Center is my safe place because of the welcoming environment.”
Asher Griffin was part of our 2020 cohort – this is a special cohort because these students were not able to participate in their travel programs because of the Covid pandemic. Instead, we offered these students, including Asher, a college scholarship if they made it to college. Asher is currently a student at DePaul University. Asher’s Award will support Mind’s Matter Chicago. Minds Matter is the mentoring and support organization that first referred Asher to us and that provides mentoring, support and guidance to dozens of high school students every year in the Chicago area. Asher particularly commends Minds Matter for getting them through the Covid pandemic that hit at a critical point in their academic life.
Jason Ivy was part of our 2012 cohort partaking in an academic program at Oxford University in England. Jason’s Award will support the Equality Dream Team where he has been a volunteer mentor. This program provides tools to help underserved African American youth develop economic stability by recapturing and redirecting the untapped potential of college-engaged and deferred African American youth to meet the needs of today's job market.