Featured Member - Fulfillment Fund
An Interview with John Mitchell, Director of Counseling and Scholarship at the Fulfillment Fund
Can you share any recent "success story" for one of your students?
The Fulfillment Fund provided Tina McKenzie with a mentor starting in the 7th grade, as well as group instruction in high school, college counseling, a college scholarship, and an internship. The following is an excerpt from a keynote speech Tina delivered at the Fulfillment Fund's Graduation Celebration at the California Science Center on July 9, 2011:
"No one in my family graduated college, let alone high school, not my mother or father, who wasn't in the picture growing up. My life goal was to attend and graduate from college. The only problem with this was the underfunded schools which I attended.
In the 7th grade, I was approached by an English teacher who had taken an interest in me and recommended me for the Fulfillment Fund. I turned in the papers and was excited to finally be excited about something. I was accepted by the 8th grade and for the first time I felt I was invested in and truly felt comfortable with people who wanted to help.
My Fulfillment Fund mentor Shelly McCarthy was the first woman in my life who was a professional. She took me out to restaurants and showed me how to properly place my silverware. She took me to the movies, the mountains, theme parks, and all the places I saw on TV. For a moment I actually felt like a child. We talked about life, my dreams and aspirations, and she made me feel loved....The Fulfillment Fund and programs like it are dedicated to giving love and support to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds envision and attain their dreams. May you all be blessed and be inspired."
Tina graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in May 2011 with a degree in economics, and is now pursuing a career in finance. She began working for AXA Advisors in New York as a financial advisor in fall 2011.
Being a long-time member of the network, how has SoCal CAN strengthened your work at Fulfillment Fund?
The work with SoCal CAN has truly helped our collaboration in working with other non-profits in the Los Angeles area. We have been able to utilize resources to better serve students. In addition, becoming part of the network has created larger opportunities for us to be part of a movement that has clear focus on changing the lives of students and the greater Los Angeles community at large.
Can you please share with us the highlights of some of your most recent events?
At Destination College-15, we had students, parents and mentors attend morning workshops and a College Fair. Pomona College was the host campus and the students enjoyed learning about the campus and visiting with the college representatives.
As we all prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, 31 students along with some dedicated Fulfillment Fund staff traveled to Northern California for our annual NorCal College Tour. The students were able to visit 10 colleges for a weeklong event. During the trip, the Fulfillment Fund female students ran into friends from MOSTE who were also visiting Mills College campus.
To learn more about the Fulfillment Fund, visit their website at www.fulfillment.org
