It has been over 8 years since Karen and I started mentoring and tutoring economically disadvantaged and/or at-risk students.  Karen took our first mentee, Rosa, on college visits and helped her with college and financial aid applications.  Skipping forward, 4 years ago we attended her college graduation.  Rosa is successfully employed and doing very well in her career. 

Another student, Andrea, moved to Houston from Mexico in 2019.  She graduated as valedictorian in 2022 with a full scholarship.  She is in pre-med finishing her first semester with a 3.8 GPA.  Andrea attended Teen Leadership Camp, volunteered at Camp workdays and this past summer was a camp counselor. 

I have been mentoring and tutoring for over 6 years at middle and high school on Houston’s Northside.  My approach includes summer experiences; both academic and outdoors.  The primary summer program is the 6-week STEM program, Houston PREP, at University of Houston Downtown.  In 2022, I had 16 students participate.  Afterwards, they were able to attend the Teen Adventure Camp at YMCA Camp Cullen.  The photo was taken at the UHD PREP awards day.  

Additionally, mentees completed summer programs with the University of Michigan, the University of Texas, and one was at Carnegie Mellon University for the summer.  This group had previously
attended Houston PREP and YMCA Camp. 

Your generous contributions allow these students to achieve things beyond their wildest dreams.  You are helping build the future for our youth and our community.  On behalf of the campers, thank you.